​Growing up as the youngest of six in a family that didn’t have much, I learned early that the best things in life were free—like piling into our old station wagon every December to see the Elks National Home Christmas lights. I always got the window seat, my little face pressed to the glass, heart pounding with excitement. My favorite was always the “piano girl”—she actually played an organ, but to me, she was magic. My dad would stop a little longer for her, letting me soak in the music and the glow.

Those drives were pure wonder. The lights, the hand-painted elves, the gingerbread house, and the residents waving from their porches—those moments stitched our family together and made the season bright, no matter what was under the tree.

As I grew up, I kept the tradition alive, but I started to notice the colors fading and the bulbs dimming. The magic I loved was slipping away. That’s when I knew I had to do something—not just for myself, but for every child (and grown-up) who ever pressed their nose to the glass, hoping for a little Christmas magic.
This year, Bedford Get Together enlisted the help of artists, neighbors, and friends, who together, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work. My “piano girl” became my personal project—fourteen hours of painting later, she’s ready to shine again. And she’s not alone: elves, gingerbread houses, and even a few surprises are coming back to life, each one a patchwork of memories and love.
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But here’s the honest truth: we’re just getting started. The lights will glow again in December 2025, and I hope you’ll come see what we’ve accomplished together. Still, this is a journey that will take years, and we need everyone—painters, helpers, donors, dreamers. No act of kindness is too small. Whether you’re washing brushes, hauling water, or simply sharing a smile, you are part of the story.
And to that little girl in the car seat, I’d say: “Live in the moment. The magic you feel now is the magic you can help create for others.”
I hope you’ll join us. Let’s keep the legacy glowing for generations, one bulb, one brushstroke, one memory at a time.

Bedford Get Together, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) private, non-profit organization devoted to fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose in our community. 
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Bedford Get Together is teaming up with Spring Oak to bring back the glory of Christmas at the Elks National Home! Go to www.BedfordGetTogether.com to volunteer, donate or share your Elks Light story.