Dale and Julie Marks and their neighbors go all out with their Christmas decorations every year and people come from all over the Des Moines, Iowa, area to see their homes covered in festive lights and holiday displays.
The couple wasn’t sure how they would be able participate this year, after Dale suffered two strokes and a heart attack while battling Covid-19, until some volunteers stepped in to help.
Local contractor Bob Coffey heard about their situation through a mutual friend and he and four of his employees came out to set up the lights for free.
Coffey said he remembers driving through the neighborhood to see the lights as a kid, so he knows it’s an important tradition.
Dale Marks sat on the porch as the crew decorated.
When the crew finished for the day, Coffey said he told Marks that he was glad to be able to help.
Coffey said — “He thanked me, he cried a little bit, I got teary. You could tell how much he appreciated it, and that’s what makes it worth it.”
The Marks had more decorations coming, so Coffey and his crew will be coming back to get them set up.
Dale Marks spent a total of 28 days in the hospital.
Now that he’s home, he is looking forward to the nightly parade of cars that will drive through their neighborhood until New Year’s.
The Mark’s don’t turn on their spectacular array of Christmas lights until after Thanksgiving because they said they want to focus on giving thanks for all their blessings.