FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO) — A Fort Wayne homeowner is lighting up the holiday season while giving back to local veterans.

According to our partners in news at 21ALIVE, Matt Ellenwood has transformed his home into a Christmas spectacle featuring more than 40,000 lights, animatronic reindeer, a gingerbread house complete with “smoke,” and even a mailbox for letters to Santa. What began as a family tradition has grown into a community attraction.

“There’s been some years that I’ve been out there the Wednesday before Thanksgiving in pouring down rain putting up extension cords, trying to get it finalized and ready to go,” Ellenwood said. “We turn it on Thanksgiving night after dinner. When the family’s here, we all come outside, and I turn it on and get everything going.”

In recent years, the display has taken on a larger purpose. The Ellenwood family uses the event to collect donations for The Shepherd’s House, a Fort Wayne nonprofit that helps veterans access resources they need after deployment and beyond.

The family is asking for donations such as clothing in all sizes, hats, gloves, gift cards to restaurants or stores, or monetary contributions. A donation bin is available at the home for visitors.

Ellenwood says the goal is to collect and deliver all donations by Sunday, December 21.

The light display is open daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. through the New Year. Visitors can view the display at 721 Pelham Drive in Ludwig Park, just off Washington Center Road.