Putting up Christmas lights was one of the last things on Deeanna DeMoulin’s mind this December.

She had to work. She had bills to pay. And she was taking care of her daughter, 6-year-old Megan Rodriguez, on her own after Megan’s father passed away a few weeks ago.

Yet DeMoulin returned to her residence of the south side of Kenosha one night to see her trailer fully aglow in Christmas lights, courtesy of her neighbors.

DeMoulin knows that Christmas lights are a small thing in her life right now, but they also represent the support she has received from her neighbors and strangers during a very difficult time.

A loss

DeMoulin said Megan’s father, Richard Rodriguez, had been in failing health this year. He suffered a stroke and heart attacks and required open heart surgery. He also faced a blood infection and had bleeding on the brain after an injury.

DeMoulin said she worked long hours over the summer, which allowed Megan to spend more time with her father.

“She was lucky to have a whole summer with him,” DeMoulin said. “She was his little pride and joy and he spoiled her rotten. They would ride the buses and trolleys and go see movies in their free time.”

Richard passed away on Nov. 7 this year, a few days before his 51st birthday.

DeMoulin said she has been working long hours in order to support herself and Megan. Her water pipes also burst, a project that DeMoulin said Richard would have taken care of.

“He would be there for me,” DeMoulin said.

All of that left not much time for keeping her residence in order, let alone putting up Christmas lights. Which made the site of returning home one Saturday night in December to see her trailer covered in bright lights very surprising.

“They almost gave me a heart attack,” DeMoulin said.

A helping hand

DeMoulin found out that several neighbors of hers at the Alpine Village Mobile Home Park strung her residence with Christmas lights.

“There were people that you see and say hi, but you don’t know their names,” DeMoulin said.

“It was just total strangers that helped out. They stepped in and helped us and totally surprised me.”

DeMoulin said the display has been altered slightly as some neighbors have presented color palette suggestions.

“Someone said there were too many blue lights and they wanted to put up some pink ones,” DeMoulin said.

Neighbors have continued to pitch in by helping DeMoulin plow out here driveway.

The work to light up DeMoulin’s residence was led by Kevin Kostka, park manager for the Alpine Village Mobile Home Park.

“She’s been through a lot,” Kostka said. “We put the lights up for her to put some Christmas spirit up for her.”

Kostka said he has been seeing the entire park becoming more united this year and participating in things such as putting up Christmas lights.

“It’s great that everyone gets together,” Kostka said.

Others also stepped in to help the family.

Many kindnesses

Teachers, staff and school families at Southport Elementary, Megan’s school, got supplies for the family. The school’s parent-teacher organization, students and staff also sent several Christmas presents home with Megan before the school’s winter break. One teacher, Athena Burmeister, bought a snow suit and boots for Megan.

And the week before Christmas, DeMoulin had accidentally left money behind while doing laundry, but a young man returned the money to her.

“There are such kind people in the world,” DeMoulin said.

Past the Christmas lights and helping hands still lies a little girl without a father, which is a very tough challenge DeMoulin said.

“She’s holding up pretty good,” DeMoulin said of Megan. “We still drive by him everyday. Basically now is just about dealing with the grief. It’s just about not having him there.”

But for now DeMoulin is just thankful for the people who were able to put a small bit of joy into their lives this Christmas.

“Everyone has been so wonderful,” DeMoulin said.