Heartfelt Tribute: South Kingstown Teen Honours Late Classmate with Touching Christmas Display. A girl from South Kingstown who loves Christmas is making every effort to cheer people up in remembrance of a classmate who was taken too soon.
It’s difficult to overlook Jeffrey Hill’s yard, 16, located at the intersection of Erin Drive in Wakefield.
There are enormous blow-ups or Christmas lights everywhere you look.
He remarked, “We had a few inflatables about two years ago, and I got really into the Christmas spirit and kept wanting more.” “A lot of my family members had died during that difficult time in my life, so I wanted something that would bring me joy, and this was it.”
A few inflatables grew to over sixty.
His formerly modest show became a communal event that everyone looked forward to.
As part of a leadership initiative this year, his classmates and members of the Honor Society at South Kingstown High School volunteered their assistance.
“I started this year by sort of laying them out where they are and figuring out the wiring after and the lights last,” Hill said, adding that it took roughly eight and a half hours to put everything up. “It takes a lot of hard, demanding work, and their commitment made me feel great that they wanted to do it and that it’s something that other people desire to do as well.”
An terrible loss served as the impetus for the entire performance.
Lily Galoob, Hill’s friend and classmate, died suddenly a few years ago.
Because it happened in the summer and shortly after COVID, it was even more shocking, especially given how young she was, Hill added. “Everyone was shocked because she was the sweetest person.”
A scholarship fund was established in her honor following her death.
‘Lights for Lily’ is the name Hill gives his show, and it has been gathering money for it.
It raised roughly $1,300 last year.
“Lily’s mother came to assist both this year and previous year. She genuinely adores it, she adores the concept because it gives her a purpose and keeps her going,” Hill added. “You just can’t put it into words, you know, when you see all the happy people, especially Mrs. Galoob.”
