Home In Fanwood Becomes 'Beacon Of Light' During Holiday Season

FANWOOD, NJ — Fanwood's famous "Christmas house" is back this holiday season, serving as both a local attraction and a fundraising venue.

Resident Greg Roser begins setting up thousands of lights outside his home in early fall and then flips on the switch Thanksgiving weekend, according to Public Information Officer Tom Kranz.

The dazzling display attracts thousands of visitors who are asked to make a donation to the New Jersey Institute for Disabilities’ Lakeview School, a cost-free school for children with special needs.

“It’s to have special wheelchairs made and everything,” said June Roser, Greg’s wife. “It’s only state-funded, so every penny goes to the school and everyone who goes to the school, they don’t pay anything.”

This past Saturday, families lined up around the block to visit Santa at the Roser home. Every child receives a gift, all of which are donated, and a "good dose of holiday cheer." Donations to the NJID are accepted through the entire holiday season.

The entire Roser family gets involved in Santa’s visit including the Rosers’ daughters Victoria and Christine, Greg’s brother Doug and sister-in-law Lisa and with volunteers from the Antique Automobile Club of America of which Greg is the local chapter president.

Police officers from the Fanwood PBA Local 123 were on hand with free coffee and presented a check to Santa for $250.

An estimated 250 to 300 children visited Santa on Saturday, according to Kranz.

Total donations are usually in the thousands of dollars. The final tally is announced later in the season.

Check out the YouTube video of the event below: