NORFOLK, Va. — Every year, on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, people are reminded to give back to their communities, either by volunteering or donating to a charity. That day is known as Giving Tuesday.
On the morning of Dec. 3, 2024, one Hampton Roads business decided to bring some holiday cheer to a Norfolk Navy family dealing with the ongoing deployment of their loved one.
Dawn Baslee fought tears as crews from Virginia Beach-based Wonderly Lights began decorating her home with a Christmas display intended to surprise her three children, who are missing their dad Tyson, who serves in the Navy.
"They don't know too much ... I told them I wrote to Santa Claus," said Baslee.
Husband and father Tyson Baslee is an E-6 deployed on the USS Harry S. Truman.
Dawn said his Christmas marks the second the family will spend without him. Her hope is the lights will bring their family some holiday cheer.
"They will know dad is still here with us in spirit and it's not going to be long until he comes back, and so I just wanted to do this for them," said Baslee.
After a social media nomination with Giving Tuesday in mind, the Baslee family was chosen for the free professional lighting install by 'Wonderly Lights' representatives wanting to give back to the Hampton Roads community.
"It's really tough being a military spouse with no family around and really hoping this really lights up their holiday season," said Agnes Pizzaro, a Wonderly Lights of Virginia Beach representative.
Pizzaro hopes every time the Baslee family comes home, the lights will light up their day.
"Really for Dawn I hope that their biggest impact will be that they made it through the year amongst the challenges they faced as a family," said Pizzaro.
According to Dawn, her husband isn't expected to return home until sometime next year. Nevertheless, she says her three children have been strong waiting for his return.
“It’s going to let them know anything that they do and put their mind to they can achieve it and not be afraid," said Dawn Baslee.