Fort Dodge Community Bands Together To Help Family Whose Christmas Display Was Vandalized

The Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way has committed to helping the Bill Miller family purchase new inflatable Christmas decorations for his home on the corner of South 15th Street and Second Avenue in Fort Dodge. His yellow house is well-known for its festive holiday decorations. Miller has been decorating his yard for the holidays since 2008.

 Recently, vandals destroyed the Christmas spirit at the home of the Millers by destroying their joyful Christmas decorations and the most disappointed fan of the decorations was Miller’s grandson, Connor Brokaw. Conner lives with epilepsy and spina bifida, two disorders that often land him in the hospital. Conner and his grandpa are very close and he helps his grandpa turn on the inflatables and lights when it starts to get dark outside. Conner is currently in a hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

 Since Miller set up the Christmas decorations, five of the inflatables have been vandalized including his big reindeer sleigh. Miller decided to start taking down the decorations, but, after receiving encouragement from members of the community, he decided to try again to put out more decorations.  Bill Miller is hoping to have some of the decorations and inflatables back up so his grandson, Conner, will see them when he returns home from Rochester before Christmas.

 The Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way is working with Bill Miller to purchase and replace the Christmas decorations. “The joy these decorations bring to Miller’s grandson as well has the citizens of Fort Dodge is very much worth the small investment” according to Randy Kuhlman, CEO of the Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way. “There is no better time to show our community spirit and restore some Christmas magic for the Miller’s grandson Conner, and for our community!”

 Citizens interested in donating to help replace the Christmas ornaments and inflatables can make the donation to the Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way. Online donations can be made at www.fd-foundation.org, or on our Facebook page or by mailing a check to the Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way, 24 North 9th Street, Suite B, Fort Dodge, IA 50501.