Santa’s House on the Old Courthouse Lawn in downtown Effingham has had a major home-makeover, courtesy of the newly renamed Downtown Effingham Business Group. The newly redecorated building was opened on Wednesday morning after a ribbon cutting ceremony. The Downtown Business Group had been looking to renovate the holiday attraction for the past three years and has been gradually raising funds to do so with events like Chili Fest and The Downtown Food Fest. Lisa and John Schafer, of Baseball Card Connection, spearheaded the project in recent months. Lisa said that renovating the house was a community effort.
All told, the community donated $10,500 for the project, in addition to materials and labor. According to Lisa, any leftover funds will be earmarked for future maintenance, or additions, to the house. She said that she is proud to be part of the Effingham community and that the Downtown Effingham Business Group Deserves all the credit for the project.
Many local businesses contributed labor and materials for the remodel of the house. Home Builders Plus donated labor, Effingham Builder’s Supply and Menards donated materials, Arrow Pest Control treated the new building, Triggs Flooring Provide carpeting, plants around the building were donated by Heartland Landscaping, Effingham Signs and Graphics donated the signs around the house, The Last Straw provided floral work, and Land Fill 33 disposed of the materials from the old house.