I think even Mr. Rogers would have wanted one this particular Oklahoma man to be his neighbor.
Afterall, a person whose sole purpose is to make the world brighter for those in his neighborhood.
And he’s doing it one strand of Christmas lights at a time.
Stephen Dunkelberg said that he came up with the idea to help light his neighbors homes up for the holidays when he realized only his house was dressed up with lights.
Stephen Dunkelberg. Photo by KJRH
“I knew there were some older people that lived on the street so I figured they weren’t going to hang their own, and I knew how expensive it can get to hire people to hang lights,” Dunkelberg said.
I had a bunch of extra lights and the ability to hang them, so I thought it would be the right thing to see if the neighbors wanted some free lights.”
Dunkelberg, who previously worked with a landscaping company that put up Christmas lights, said he wasn’t very worried about climbing on rooftops to add the holiday lights to the homes.
By the time Dunkelberg was done, he had put up more than 1,700 bulbs for the 22 homes on Stadium Road.
Before he began his ambitious holiday lark, he made sure to ask his neighbors if they wanted to take part in his project.
Each neighbor was thrilled with this plan. “It’s just so awesome that he has a generous heart to do this for all of our neighbors,” Molly Garrison said.
Bing Nearing, another resident, was also happy to have the lights.
“I’m sure the whole neighborhood appreciates it. I, for one, do because I’m a little bit senior, and it’s hard to get up on the roof now,” Nearing said.
For Dunkelberg, it has been the entire experience itself that added joy to his season.
Photo from YouTube
“Seeing kids come out and get excited when they see their house lit up for the first time was an awesome experience,” he said.
It seems to put everyone in a good mood and I’m grateful they all allowed me to hang their lights.
“Christmas lights have always put a smile on my face, and I’m glad I’m able to help make others smile,” he added.
All of the lights have not only brightened the neighborhood, it has brought them together.
“Originally, it was just a picture in my head, then it turned into a community thing. I know every single neighbor now, and they’re all great people,” Dunkleberg said. “Every time I pull down the street, it puts a smile on my face, and some of the neighbors have said the same thing.”
“Anything you can do to help out a neighbor or a family or a friend, think it’s always going to be worth it,” said Dunkelberg.
Watch below as Dunkelberg put up the Christmas lights for his neighbors.
