SOUTH AMBOY – A volunteer firefighter is decorating his home in South Amboy to raise money for a fellow firefighter’s medical bills.
Bill Leveille and Chuck Lukie are volunteer firefighters in South Amboy who have been raising money for fellow firefighters since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The duo decided to decorate Leveille’s home in order to raise money for the families of firefighters who were lost during the year. They asked someone to dress up as Santa Claus and take pictures with children for a small donation. One hundred percent of donations go to their causes.
This year’s mission is to help Sayreville firefighter Steve Kanca and his wife Diane. Diane was diagnosed with liver failure two years ago and needed a liver transplant. She found a matching donor and received the liver transplant. According to Leveille, she’s doing well and has even already gone back to work. The family has two daughters. This year’s donations will help offset her medical bills.
Leveille said his house is covered in lights and he turns his porch into a large fireplace with a dropback resembling the yule log with a place for Santa to sit. The house usually has a candy cane arch in the front of the gate, the whole house is outlined in c-9 bulbs, icicle lights and holiday blow up decorations and a Ferris wheel with stuffed animals with music hooked up so the lights interact with the song playing.
“Every year I try to add things, except the last few years I haven’t added anything because money’s been short,” Leveille said. “We stay with what we have and try to mix it up by putting something out we didn’t use the year before.”
Anyone who wishes to take a picture with Santa is asked to donate at least $1. Anyone who takes a picture with Santa will receive a Christmas bag with a chocolate Santa and a small candy cane.
Leveille said the he usually starts decorating after Halloween, finishing around Thanksgiving. Leveille’s daughters Nicole, Allison and Christina, his niece Jill, his mother Elizabeth Leveille and their friend Cathie help by creating the fliers.
The benefit will take place on Dec. 13, 14, and 17 from 6-9 p.m. at 217 S. Pine Ave., South Amboy. Checks can be made payable to Diane or Steve Kanca.