The Maywald family—which consists of Chad, Rhonda, Logan, Jordan and Jamie—has raised money since 2019 when the family won "The Great Christmas Light Fight" on ABC.
"I started putting lights up when I was 9 years old," Jordan said. "Each year after that, the display grew more and more."
This year, the family had more than 300,000 lights and numerous display pieces. Jordan said his family, along with a few close friends, spend months setting it up each year.
"I build most of the display pieces by hand," Jordan said.
Jordan said the family chose the Make-A-Wish Foundation to benefit from the donations they receive at their Christmas display, because making children smile, especially children who are ill, is what Christmas is all about.
"When we turn the money in each year, we get to meet a lot of the children that benefit from the money raised," Jordan said. "Getting to meet them is an incredible experience. We get to hear about their wish trips and see pictures of their wonderful time. These children hold a close place in our hearts, and we love them all."
In its first year, the family raised $250 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In the year that followed, Jordan said he was determined to grant a wish, and that cost $5,000 at the time. He was able to accomplish his goal, Jordan said.
"The feeling behind that made me want to raise more," Jordan said. "Each year, the donation grew tremendously."
This year's $64,752 will go toward granting eight wishes with the foundation and brings the family's total contributions to more than a quarter-million dollars with 35 wishes granted to date.
"My life goal is to raise a total of $1 million for Make-A-Wish," Jordan said. "We appreciate the amazing supporters we have and couldn't do it without each of them. We look forward to doing it again next December."
