The Little North Pole Lights Up The Night – Charity event celebrates 18 years

Joe Mure sits among the thousands he brought together to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation—still running the show from his cell.

For nearly 20 years the Little North Pole has been lighting up the streets of Neponsit and the faces of children of all ages. This year was no different as a crowd of thousands assembled themselves for an evening of food, fun, entertainment, a sea of lights and extravagant Christmas decorations and, of course, Santa.

Mrs. Santa arrived before her hubby this year, aboard her own brand of sleigh—a 2014 Fire Red Mercedes Benz CLA-250—auctioned off and won by one lucky participant in the raffle benefitting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), the charity at the heart of the event.

Joe Mure, a criminal defense attorney from Neponsit who also heads up the fundraising for JDRF in Brooklyn and Queens, began transforming his home to help sick kids almost 20 years ago. “Every year it just seems to get more special,” Mure said, “but what never changes is the magic. It’s always there.”

And indeed it may seem like magic—the annual fundraiser has netted as much as $175,000 in a year—with all the money being turned over to JDRF. “Everything that you see here represents the generosity of others toward these kids who need us so much.” Mure says that because all of the decorations are supplied by donors, the event is pure profit for the charity.

A host of entertainers took to the stage for a three hour production that included singers and dancers from local sources as well as guest appearances from notable celebrities. Famed radio hosts Joe Causi and Goumba Johnny returned to their posts as emcees for the yearly event.

A cheering crowd welcomed Santa who arrived on the flatbed of a toy truck surrounded by elves who threw bag after bag of plush stuffed toys out into the crowd. After climbing up onto the stage, Santa took a seat in his big rocking chair and posed for photos and to give out toys to hundreds of kids that waited on line patiently.

And in the end, after the lights had gone down, the music had stopped and the crowds had gone home there remained evidence that Santa really does exist. He had left behind a crew of elves, some on their hands and knees, collecting garbage left by the masses. “Gotta keep the neighbors happy,” elf Joe Mure said with a big smile. And when asked if his efforts and those of his tremendous volunteer force were worth it, he answered, “I have two words for you…Merry Christmas.”

Story and Photos by Patricia Adams