{"id":67736,"date":"2025-12-11T20:36:12","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T20:36:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/67736\/"},"modified":"2025-12-11T20:36:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T20:36:12","slug":"dazzling-holiday-display-in-new-springville-doubles-as-a-fundraiser-to-save-animals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/67736\/","title":{"rendered":"Dazzling holiday display in New Springville doubles as a fundraiser to save animals"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 As the world celebrates the festivals of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kawanzaa, and shares gifts and holiday magic that transcends cultures all over the globe, incredible holiday displays illuminate Staten Island and beyond. <\/p>\n

Once again Mindy and John Sorrentino have reprised their customized holiday extravaganza fundraiser for the sixth consecutive year.<\/p>\n

\"Display\"Minnie and Mickey Mouse Nutcrackers and sister dogs, Bingo and Bluey are part of the Sorrentino Holiday Display in New Springville. (Courtesy\/John Sorrentino)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

And, as in year\u2019s past, everyone will have five chances to come see Santa and Mickey, who will make appearances throughout the holiday season.<\/p>\n

This year the husband-and-wife team\u2019s sixth annual \u201cLacey\u2019s Fur-Get Me Not Holiday Fundraiser\u201d is set for Friday, Dec. 12 and Saturday, Dec. 13, and then again on Saturday, Dec 20, and Sunday, Dec. 21, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

The Sorrentino\u2019s invite all visitors to pose with Santa and bring the family and\/or family pets with the goal of bringing smiles to kids\u2019 faces \u2014 and at the same time help to spread awareness about the cause.<\/p>\n

\"Display\"In addition to cartoon characters, virtual \u201cWinter Wonderland\u201d is bedecked with extravagant Christmas d\u00e9cor featuring Santa and his elves and popular Disney, Looney Tunes and Sesame Street characters. Folks can watch Santa and his elves handcraft Christmas toys for children in the upper window of their home. (Courtesy\/John Sorrentino)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

Holiday prizes will also be raffled during the fundraiser. <\/p>\n

The display is located at 18 Carpenter Ave. in New Springville.<\/p>\n

Donations are optional. But proceeds are earmarked for Staten Island\u2019s animal rescue organizations.<\/p>\n

\"Dispay\"The lively Winter Wonderland is dotted with Winnie the Pool, the Cookie Monster, and Mickey and Minnie and a slew of others. (Courtesy\/John Sorrentino)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

The fundraiser is named for the Sorrentino\u2019s dog, Lacey, who died several years ago.<\/p>\n

THE SORRENTINO\u2019S STORY<\/p>\n

During Christmas of 2020 the Sorrentino\u2019s said goodbye to their dog, Lacey, after 17 years of unconditional love. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe were heartbroken,\u201d they said. \u201cWe spent all of 2021 fostering dogs and happily all six of them found their forever homes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Display\"Mindy Sorrentino and Yorkies Inara and her mom, Khaleesi. (Courtesy\/John Sorrentino)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

In 2022 they welcomed two Yorkies, Khaleesi and Inara, who they adopted from Blake\u2019s Sake Rescue.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe officially adopted them and hearts were healed,\u201d they explained.<\/p>\n

None of that would have been possible without the help of local animal rescue organizations.<\/p>\n

\"Display\"The Count Down to Christmas Clock, surrounded by Rudolph and the Misfit Toys. (Courtesy\/John Sorrentino)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing better than seeing kids\u2019 faces light up when families stop by to see the display,\u201d said John, a retired firefighter. \u201cSanta can\u2019t wait to see all the families and their pets at the upcoming fundraiser this weekend and next weekend. Let\u2019s all join forces again this holiday season so we can bring love and happiness to families and their pets for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"HolidayJohn and Mindy Sorrentino\u2019s holiday display doubles as a fundraiser in memory of their dog, Lacey, who died a few years ago. Visitors are able to donate to animal rescue while taking in the lights at 18 Carpenter Ave. in New Springville. (Courtesy John Sorrentino)John Sorrentino<\/p>\n

Mindy added, \u201cFostering could be weeks to months, but it keeps animals out of shelters. We are doing this in honor of Lacey and to raise awareness and funds for animals in need.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSince we\u2019ve always been big animal lovers we are thrilled to be able to help give dogs and cats in need a chance at a better life. If we all pitch in just a little we can make their world a better place. And it\u2019s hard to tell who has more fun at the fundraiser, Santa, Mickey or the kids.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"HolidayJohn and Mindy Sorrentino (Courtesy John Sorrentino)(Courtesy\/John Sorrentino)<\/p>\n

Mindy and John will be handing out Christmas tree ornaments and candy canes for children at the fundraiser.<\/p>\n

MORE ON THE HOLIDAY DISPLAY<\/p>\n

On display outside the couple\u2019s New Springville home re Donald Duck animatronics and a Mickey Mouse and Minion animatronics.<\/p>\n

\"HolidayJohn and Mindy Sorrentino\u2019s holiday display doubles as a fundraiser in memory of their beloved dog, Lacey, who died a few years ago. Visitors are able to donate to animal rescue while taking in the lights at 18 Carpenter Ave. in New Springville. Courtesy John Sorrentino(Courtesy\/John Sorrentino)<\/p>\n

\u201cThey all move and sing Christmas songs,\u201d John continued. \u201cAlso new is a singing Santa, new additions to the ice pond, The Grinch and his dog Max, new lights, and most importantly we will have both Santa Claus and Mickey Mouse will make an appearance throughout the season for our fundraiser.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Display\"There’s a new addition to the ice pond. (Courtesy\/John Sorrentino)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

Each year, Mindy, John and their daughter, Raquel, expand their \u201cWinter Wonderland\u201d always bedecked with extravagant Christmas d\u00e9cor and a slew of cartoon characters and holiday attractions featuring Santa and his elves, and popular Disney, Looney Tunes and Sesame Street characters.<\/p>\n

\"Display\"Dumbo has been added to the holiday display at the Sorrentino’s New Springville home. (Courtesy\/John Sorrentino)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

DEFINITE STANDOUTS<\/p>\n

Standouts include Rudolph and the Island of Misfit Toys and Sesame Street characters.<\/p>\n

Plus, hand-made one-of-a-kind pieces of Bugs Bunny and his crew on a sled.<\/p>\n

A vintage display including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, handcrafted over 70 years ago by John Sorrentino\u2019s dad, aunt and uncle, also come to life.<\/p>\n

\"Display\"New Santas and Sesame Street characters light up 18 Carpenter Ave. in New Springville. (Courtesy\/John Sorrentino)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s an impressive penguin ice pond with a slide, the Grinch character, the Flintstones, Popeye, Winnie the Pooh and friends, Magilla Gorilla, Underdog, Mickey and friends on a sled and other Christmas related pieces.<\/p>\n

\"Display\"Mindy and John Sorrentino\u2019s home at 18 Carpenter Ave,\u00a0New Springville, is ready to welcome visitors again. (Staten Island Advance\/Lauren Lovallo)(Staten Island Advance\/Lauren Lovallo)<\/p>\n

And in a \u201clive feed\u201d from the North Pole, kids can watch Santa and his elves handcraft Christmas toys.<\/p>\n

NEW THIS YEAR<\/p>\n

Added this year are sister dogs, Bluey and Bingo, as well as Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse Nutcrackers.<\/p>\n

Giant three-foot-high light bulbs sprinkled around the property now grace the display. <\/p>\n

\"Display\"Mindy and John Sorrentino\u2019s home at 18 Carpenter Ave,\u00a0New Springville, is ready to welcome visitors again. (Staten Island Advance\/Lauren Lovallo)(Staten Island Advance\/Lauren Lovallo)<\/p>\n

And decorations 3D in appearance are showcased in the colorful holiday display, as well as additions to the must-see ice pond.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s definitely worth the trip!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 As the world celebrates the festivals of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kawanzaa, and shares gifts…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":67737,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[9,24,63,134,136,135],"class_list":{"0":"post-67736","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-staten-island","8":"tag-new-york","9":"tag-new-york-city","10":"tag-nyc","11":"tag-staten-island","12":"tag-staten-island-headlines","13":"tag-staten-island-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67736","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=67736"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67736\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/67737"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=67736"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=67736"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=67736"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}