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Local Voices

Deserving Military Families Receive Holiday of a Lifetime

Christmas Decor by Swimming Pool Services is in the business of creating magical memories this holiday season by making the holidays a little brighter for local military families. With over 300,000 American men and women deployed throughout the world this holiday season, military families are facing the challenge of preparing for the holidays without their loved ones. To give back to the families of these brave men and women in a small way, the local leader in holiday lighting and decorating donated their products, resources and time to decorate the homes of two local military families as part of the Decorated Family Program.

Christmas Decor, the nation’s leading professional holiday & event decorating franchise, began the Decorated Family Program in 2003 after a franchisee attended a holiday dinner party and began to consider all of the men and women overseas who will not be able to celebrate with those they love. Each holiday, hundreds of Christmas Decor franchisees nationwide participate in this event.

This holiday season will have a special meaning for Robert James Drakos of Waukesha and Chief MSGT John McFadden of Cedarburg as they were surprised with the gift of a decorated home for the holidays.

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Christmas Decor by Swimming Pool Services surprised Robert on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 by covering his home with holiday lights and decorations. Robert’s daughter Athena nominated him for The Decorated Family program. Not only did his wife pass away this past Father’s Day, but he is a veteran of the United States Army and served our country in the Korean War, served as a police officer for the City of Milwaukee for 35 years and was inducted into the Wisconsin Police & Fire Hall of Fame in 2002 for running into a fire and saving a couple and their 5 children. Additionally, his son was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the age of two and doctors recommended for him to be put into a home. Instead, Robert and his wife raised him with unconditional love.

Christmas Decor by Swimming Pool Services surprised Chief MSGT John McFadden and his three children on Saturday, December 14, 2013 by covering their home with stunning red, white and blue holiday lights. He received seven nominations for the program by family members and friends. John’s wife Jackie McFadden took her family out for the day and returned home at 4:30 p.m. where they were greeted by friends, family members, local media and a holiday surprise of a lifetime! John had been serving in Qatar since July and finally returned home just in time for the holidays.

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The holiday season is about giving, and what better way to recognize it than to give the gift of Christmas lights to a military family in need of some cheer.

About Christmas Decor by Swimming Pool Services

Since 1967, Swimming Pool Services has been helping people in Southeast Wisconsin turn their backyard dreams into reality with expert advice, personalized service and attention to detail. A leading builder of in-ground swimming pools, Swimming Pool Services also has an award-winning service department and a retail location for your pool and spa chemical needs at W220 N1563 Jericho Court in Waukesha. Swimming Pool Services is a new franchise member of Christmas Decor, the premier holiday decorating and Christmas light installation company which operates in more than 350 markets in 48 states and Canada, and won the “Best New Franchise Award” for 2012. The inimitable company brightens up homes and alleviates any yuletide stress by professionally and safely decorating area homes and businesses, showcasing extravagant holiday displays. For more information, visit http://www.swimmingpoolservices.com/christmas-decor.

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