by Dee DeQuattro, WPRO News
The owner of a local Christmas light display in Warwick is upset after he says his charitable donation bin for the Make-A-Wish Foundation was robbed last night.
Frank, Picozzi, a self-describe “Christmas-nut” sets up an annual light display at his home on Gristmill Rd in Warwick. For the past five years he has left a donation bin in his front yard for visitors to leave money or change to benefit a local charity, this year he chose the Make-A-Wish foundation. “It usually gets about $50 a night this time of year,” said Picozzi, noting that later in the Christmas season it usually gets about $300 a night.
On Monday evening when Picozzi went to collect the donation money he found only $2.00 in the bin. “The worst night we ever had was $25,” said Picozzi, “So it just doesn’t make sense.”
In an earlier interview with the WPRO Morning News with Tara Granahan and Andrew Gobeil he noted it had to be theft because there were visitors to the display. “A lot of people know about It, they always come, they always donate,” said Picozzi. “It’s never been a problem.” He said he usually stands outside and watches the display but last night he was busy inside his home.
“They basically took money from sick kids,” said Picozzi. He said that he will replace the estimated $50 that he thinks was stolen out of his own money.
Although he says it is “disheartening,” Picozzi won’t let one Grinch ruin his holiday spirit. The light show will continue however, he is adding surveillance cameras and securing the donation bin.
Picozzi’s display is not just any Christmas display, it comes equipped with thousands of lights and decorations that twinkle and glow in-sync with your favorite Christmas tunes. Picozzi has arranged for a special radio station 97.1 FM for motorists who want to watch the display from their cars and listen to the music. He also has speakers set up for those who want to exit their vehicles to view the display.
The display and show runs every weeknight from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Those who visit on Saturday evenings in December will get a special treat as Picozzi dons the Red Suit and plays the role of the big man himself, Santa Claus, and hands out candy canes to kids.
For the past five years the display has started the Friday after Thanksgiving with a special preview on Thanksgiving night. In the past four years the display has raised approximately $10,500 for the Neighbor Helping Neighbors charity.
The display costs a pretty penny too with thousands of dollars in equipment and electric bills rounding off at $300. Picozzi, owner of Compass Home Improvement, said he and his family have scrimped and saved just to make the show possible noting he cancelled his subscriptions to HBO and Showtime and went out to eat less this year.
