Crime Solvers offering reward for info on North Sewickley Township light display vandalism

UPDATE: Vandals again caused damage to this display on the day before Thanksgiving, according to North Sewickley Township police, and now people are no longer allowed to walk the property to view the lights and decorations until further notice. The display still can be viewed from the road and edge of the property.

Beaver County's Crime Solvers are offering a reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for stealing and damaging the Christmas lights from the North Sewickley display. Those with information are encouraged to call the Crime Solvers line at (724) 774-2000 with any info that may assist the investigation or contact the North Sewickley Police Department at (724) 843-8118.

NORTH SEWICKLEY TWP. − While those looking to dampen local Christmas spirits attempted to ruin a local light display, the community has used the event to rally for a good cause this season.

Members of the North Sewickley Township community have shown massive support for township Supervisor Emmett Santillo, who hosts the annual Christmas light display at his home along Mercer Road, after an unidentified person cut wires to some of the displays. Since the incident, Santillo has received hundreds of positive messages, donations and offers of support for the display this year.

"Obviously, the Grinch decided to come visit me for the holidays and came by to cut the wires of a dozen or so display items," Santillo said. "The offers of support and help have been terrific, coming from around Beaver County and especially in North Sewickley Township."

Often the brightest spot along Route 65 during the holiday season, the display is hosted to raise money for the Women's Shelter of Beaver County. Among the glittering ornaments and flashing lights, a collection box has been used to raise money for those in need during the holiday season. Visitors from around western Pennsylvania have stopped to view the popular display over the past 25 years, making it a holiday tradition for many in the area.

Those stopping at the display have also helped the Women's Shelter of Beaver County in a big way, as donations made at the display have helped these residents in need. In 2019, Santillo told The Times he estimated the display had raised over $25,000 for the organization.

More:North Sewickley Twp. holiday display raising money for Beaver County Women’s Center

"I'm thrilled to be able to help the organization that I do care about and trying to help their cause," he said.

When news broke about the vandalism, a GoFundMe page was created by community members to assist with the necessary repairs to the display. As of Monday evening, the campaign has raised over $7,400 and is home to plenty of warm wishes for the display's success this year.

"I wish I could give more but thank you for the joy you gave me for many years," Carol Gaido-Schmidt, a donor to the GoFundMe, posted on the page. "I used to love seeing this every year. Don't give up! Many people love you for this!"

"I live down the street and can see the glow of the lights from my bedroom window," Andrew Reda, another donor, posted. "Christmas wouldn’t be the same without it."

Light it up:Christmas lights displays will put you in the holiday spirit

Appreciative of the support from these neighbors and strangers, Santillo has said that all of the proceeds from this campaign will be donated to the Women's Shelter of Beaver County. With the help of community members, the light display will be able to operate once again and bring Christmas memories for another year.

"I should be good, I've had volunteers to help fix the items," Santillo said. "The outpour from the community who obviously appreciate the display that I've been putting up for decades now is overwhelming. It's terrific, I literally could not say enough how wonderful people have been. It really does feel good to know that good does outweigh the evil in this world."

Santillo said that the display is on schedule to light up after Thanksgiving on Friday. Some changes have been made to the display this year, such as improved security around the display to prevent other incidents from derailing the fundraiser. In addition to the lights, the usual cash box will be replaced by a sign with a QR code for digital donations directly to the women's shelter.

Police are also asking community members to help identify who the suspected vandal may have been. North Sewickley police are encouraging families with security cameras in the area to review footage from Friday night into Saturday morning for any suspicious people and report that activity to the police department.

As families gather for Light Up Nights around the county and other holiday traditions, Santillo hopes that visitors to his bright corner of western Pennsylvania consider donating to a worthy cause and spreading some more good throughout their community.

"After these last couple of years with COVID and all the other issues around the world, we need a few bright spots, not negative stuff," Santillo said. "I'm still hoping to spread some holiday cheer."

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This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Community shows support for iconic light display after vandalism