Roser Family Lights Up Home for Worthy Cause
Borough of Fanwood
The Roser home on Paterson Road is a beacon of holiday light during the Christmas season as both a local attraction and a fundraising venue. Greg Roser begins setting up the thousands of lights in early fall, then flips on the switch Thanksgiving weekend. It’s uncertain whether the display is visible from space but it’s certainly visible to the community and 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.”
The highlight of the season is Santa’s appearance in early December, this year on Saturday, December 10, when families line up around the block for a visit with the big guy. Every child receives a gift, all of which are donated, and a good dose of holiday cheer. Donations to the NJID are gratefully 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 other 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 250-300 children visited Santa. Total donations are usually in the thousands of dollars. The final tally is announced later in the season.
Photos by Tom Kranz
