Gurnee teen blends food drive with light show

While a holiday light show may seem rather common this time of year, teenager Adam Germann has made one in his own front yard, and for a worthy cause.

Germann, of Gurnee, for the second consecutive year has set up a holiday light show outside his house at 4968 Prairie Oak Road, which meets Milwaukee Avenue's west side north of Grand Avenue.

About 6,000 bulbs are part of Germann's effort that has expanded to a neighbor's home through a wireless connection. However, he's not just looking to have a good time with the display, which runs from 5 to 10 p.m. on weekdays and until 11 p.m. on weekends through Jan. 5.

"If I'm doing all this, there has to be a good way I can give back to the community," said Germann, a senior at Gurnee-based Warren Township High School.

Germann provides a box in his yard to accept nonperishable food items. He will forward donations to the Northern Illinois Food Bank, which serves 520 partner agencies in Lake and 12 other counties.

Along with the 6,000 bulbs, Germann is using 48 channels of lights for the display that will be synchronized to holiday music. Six songs, including trans-Siberian Orchestra's "Wizards of Winter," will be part of the show and available over low-power 87.9-FM.

Germann said he spent 30 to 40 hours programming and setting up the holiday light show during the past two months. His goal is to receive at least 200 nonperishable items for the food bank.