Rockland family lights up the night to support CHEO

Christmas lights display for CHEO CTV’s Shaun Vardon takes us to the Albertini family holiday-decorated home in Rockland featuring a 40,000-bulb light spectacle.

When their youngest child became ill in 2012, the Albertini family wanted to find a way to give back to CHEO.

Since 2018, they have put on a Christmas light display at their home in Rockland to celebrate the holiday season and collect funds for the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

Megan and her husband Nathan spend a lot of time at CHEO. Four of their five children rely on its services, and one has spent hundreds of days in its care.

Their son Hayden was diagnosed with two severe forms of epilepsy in 2012, suffering 75-100 seizures a day and has had many tests and surgeries over the years.

Now, from December 1 to early January, family and friends put up 40,000 lights on and around their Des Merisiers Street home to create a bright spot in the community. The musical light show delighting neighbours and visitors alike.

Megan says it’s all about helping others and putting a smile on children’s faces.

"Family means a lot to our family, so we really want to try to bring the community together and bring families together," Megan said. "It brings a lot of joy to watch the kids get excited just for the lights and the Christmas spirit."

Nathan says he gets a real kick out of decorating his house, and helping CHEO makes all the work worth it.

“It’s fun, yeah. It’s a kid in a candy store. I love putting it out, I love setting it up," Nathan said. “CHEO has been a godsend to the one kid for absolute sure and now we’re going through the same battles with my daughter. It’s definitely nice.”

If you would like to support the Albertini’s you can leave a donation at their house on Des Merisiers Street in Rockland or online.