Peoria Standard

Residents of Washington driving the streets looking for dazzling Christmas light displays should have no trouble finding the home of Mike Rodcay, a man who is going above and beyond to spread holiday cheer for a charitable cause the second year in a row. 

"This is our second year to raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project. Our goal is to raise one penny per light," Rodcay told Heart of Illinois ABC News. 

"Being a vet and having to retire in 2016, I went to Iraq twice. I came back the way I went and I thought about it two years ago, what can I do to pay it forward," he said. 

Mike Rodcay has decorated his home with more than 17,000 individual lights for the past two years to raise funds for the Chicago Wounded Warrior Project | Stock Photo

Rodcay's house and lawn are layered with over 17,000 individual twinkling lights Griswold-style, he told Heart of Illinois ABC News.

"It started out last year," Rodcay said. "Originally, we were just going to hang icicles and then it transposed into a display."

Rodcay said he started preparing for his display in September, a whole month early than he started last years display, but doesn't mind the extra work because of the intentions behind it. 

Since his military retirement, Rodcay has been working with the Chicago Wounded Warrior Project.

"My hope personally is that it inspires everyone to get involved," he said in the interview. 

"That's one thing that I've done since I've retired. Yeah, my service is over. I did my 30 years but service never quits," he said.

To donate to the Rodcay family's mission, drive to their home located at 511 James Parkway, Washington, IL, from 5 to 10 p.m. Honk the horn, and Rodcay or his wife will come out to collect a donation. 

Contributions can also be mailed to Mike Rodcay, C/o Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 92, Washington, IL, 61571.