"Miracle on 64th Street" neighborhood holiday display collecting donations for local veterans outreach organization

WEST ALLIS (CBS 58) -- The intersection of 64th and Lapham is lit up like a holiday wonderland this holiday season.

Since 2022, the "Miracle on 64th Street" organizers have raised money for local causes, but they still need donations to meet this year's goal.

Choosing who to contribute to this year was an easy decision for Tim Riebe.

They would contribute this year's holiday donations to the Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative, located just up the road.

Riebe told us, "They're a stone's throw away from us. And they help all veterans, no matter what their discharge."

The MHVI provides services and assistance to local veterans.

Riebe called those veterans his neighbors, and he kept them top of mind when he braved the bitter cold to collect donations this month. "I tell people we're out here for about four hours each night. The vets, they have to sleep in this. So if I have to stand out here for four hours just to collect some money, I can do that just fine. Knowing that those guys are going to be spending the night in this bitter cold."

Each year, Riebe picks a different cause to contribute to.

The effort started in 2022, when, he said, "We had a family just up the road, who lost their house just before Thanksgiving due to a house fire. And we were trying to give money to them."

At that time, Riebe had just barely survived a bout with long-haul COVID.

He'd spent two weeks in the ICU but still wanted to help his neighbors.

The idea for "Miracle on 64th Street" was born when tim lit up his house and sidewalk with more than 12,000 lights. Dozens of decorations followed, then neighbors joined in.

As people came by to experience the scene, they donated money to the cause.

This year, in addition to money, the "Miracle on 64th" project is collecting hats, coats, and gloves, plus nonperishable food items for the veterans.

Tim hopes the neighborhood will continue to grow their miracle each holiday season. "It's been absolutely amazing. Everybody's overjoyed to help us out. They're really just a great group of people. I couldn't be more blessed with a better group of neighbors."

While the volunteers have stopped collecting in person, you can still donate.

Head in to Landmark Credit Union and tell them you want to contribute to the "Miracle on 64th Street Project".