ROCK HILL, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com) -
Wednesday, cops and firefighters will be beating each other for a good cause in the annual Guns and Hoses boxing match, but 140,000 lights will be blinking to the beat for the same cause. "Between 130-140 thousand lights on the five houses," estimates Geoff George of Rock Hill, "Last time I tallied up the extension cords, I was close to two miles worth of extension cord." Not to mention the pain and frustration that goes with it.
"Smacking your hand with a hammer, putting a staple in your finger, you have your moments," laments George, "when you get done and look at it and see the kids faces its worth it."
Kids though are not the only ones who get a kick out of George's Christmas creation in the 1300 block of McKinley in Rock Hill.
"It seems like every year it gets bigger and grander and more neighbors are involved in it," says an excited neighbor Morgan Mance, "It's just a sign of the holidays."
A computer choreographs the lights on his house and wirelessly on four other neighbors' homes.
"I've done what I've called a yard grid." The technical terms, trials and tribulations are almost as mind boggling as the finished product.
"I really do I enjoy it. As a kid I remember going around and looking at other people's displays," George tells of his inspirations.
All of it out of his pocket, but he does ask for something out of the pockets of those who stop by to see it. Last year $1,500 was donated to Backstoppers by those who stood in awe not to mention a lot of generosity with a festive food drive.
"Last year was over 2,600 cans alone," says George. "I can't even begin to explain the amount of giving Geoff does. It's incredible," which is why the least friends like John Meyer can do is untangle a cord or ten. "Lots of lights. Lots of people. A lot of hard work," says the self-described volunteer elf.
After three days of rain last week it's a mad weeklong dash to Thanksgiving, then a month of giving thanks to those who gave it all.
"The Backstoppers I did last year because of (the killings of two police officers and a firefighter) in Maplewood and in Kirkwood," tells George, "I'm thrilled to do something that I like and find a way to have others help out and do good."
•For more information: gtechdesign.com
"Smacking your hand with a hammer, putting a staple in your finger, you have your moments," laments George, "when you get done and look at it and see the kids faces its worth it."
Kids though are not the only ones who get a kick out of George's Christmas creation in the 1300 block of McKinley in Rock Hill.
"It seems like every year it gets bigger and grander and more neighbors are involved in it," says an excited neighbor Morgan Mance, "It's just a sign of the holidays."
A computer choreographs the lights on his house and wirelessly on four other neighbors' homes.
"I've done what I've called a yard grid." The technical terms, trials and tribulations are almost as mind boggling as the finished product.
"I really do I enjoy it. As a kid I remember going around and looking at other people's displays," George tells of his inspirations.
All of it out of his pocket, but he does ask for something out of the pockets of those who stop by to see it. Last year $1,500 was donated to Backstoppers by those who stood in awe not to mention a lot of generosity with a festive food drive.
"Last year was over 2,600 cans alone," says George. "I can't even begin to explain the amount of giving Geoff does. It's incredible," which is why the least friends like John Meyer can do is untangle a cord or ten. "Lots of lights. Lots of people. A lot of hard work," says the self-described volunteer elf.
After three days of rain last week it's a mad weeklong dash to Thanksgiving, then a month of giving thanks to those who gave it all.
"The Backstoppers I did last year because of (the killings of two police officers and a firefighter) in Maplewood and in Kirkwood," tells George, "I'm thrilled to do something that I like and find a way to have others help out and do good."
•For more information: gtechdesign.com
