LI teen’s award-winning holiday light show raises over $16K for Ronald McDonald House

Andrew Reid, 19, who transformed his family’s East Northport home into a holiday lighted winter wonderland with over 500 restored holiday decorations, along with his mother, Christine, recently presented a check for $16,023.20 in donations raised by visitors to their holiday light display to representatives from Ronald McDonald House Charities NY Metro at their headquarters in New Hyde Park.

The size of the donation was kept a surprise until the moment the check was presented. 

“I was blown away, I had no idea it was going to be that large,” said Matt Campo, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro. “I told the family we work so hard to raise every dollar. For someone to come and hand us more than $16,000 is just amazing.” 

What began as a passion for refurbishing discarded holiday decorations grew into an annual tradition for Reid and his family, with more than 500 decorations covering nearly every inch of his home, yard, and even his car. His display was chronicled by media across New York and nationally. 

Reid’s ‘Misfit Island’ Christmas display was also voted the winner of Newsday’s “Holiday Lights” contest, with a prize of $1,000, which will be included as part of the donation. 

The money donated will go toward the construction of the new Ronald McDonald House at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. A groundbreaking ceremony was held last year and construction will begin in the spring with plans to open in 2027.For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charities NY Metro, visit www.rmhcnym.org/.