How a Griswold-Inspired House Spreads Christmas Cheer and Hope for Cystic Fibrosis
Inspired by a beloved holiday movie, this dazzling display has raised $50,000 for cystic fibrosis research
When Greg Osterland was growing up, a cherished family holiday tradition was going to his aunt and uncle’s house after the Christmas Eve church service to watch the 1989 movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. The family, who could quote the entire movie on mute, had an all-in-good-fun rule: Act out a scene from the movie, or you don’t get to eat Christmas Eve dinner.
Greg, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) when he was 6, retained a passion for this beloved movie into adulthood. Then, when he and his wife, Rachel, were house hunting, they found a home in Wadsworth, Ohio, that had a similar look to the iconic house in the film—which gave him an idea.
Why don’t we deck out our house just like the Griswold house during the holidays? he thought. But there was more.
Since Greg has CF, a life-threatening disorder that damages the lungs, digestive system and other organs, he got an even bigger idea: “We could combine our love for the movie with our passion to raise funds for cystic fibrosis research,” Greg told Rachel.
The Osterlands moved into their Griswold-esque house in 2008, and spent a few years saving for a Christmas display in the style of the Griswold home that illuminated the whole neighborhood with 250 strands—100 lights on each strand—for a total of 25,000 lights, just like in the movie.
The Osterlands bought mannequins depicting characters, along with character face-in-hole boards where visitors can stop and take photos.
Their whimsical light show includes a locked box on site where visitors can drop donations or scan a QR code with their smartphones to donate virtually to the Great Strides walking fundraiser of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. And to date, the project has raised more than $50,000, including $11,000 just last year.
This year will be the 12th light display, now known as the Wadsworth Griswold House, which has drawn tens of thousands of visitors—from Northeast Ohio and beyond.
Suzanne Zak, executive director of the Northern Ohio Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation says the Osterland house is a unique way to help the nonprofit work toward a cure. “We see many fundraisers and events, but not often something this extraordinary!” she says.
As for Greg, it’s a labor of love! “I think it really helps people get in the Christmas spirit,” says Greg, 43, who is mostly free of CF symptoms today.“It illuminates people’s lives and raises awareness for a cause near to our hearts.”
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