Alabama Bright Lights: Nancy and Tony Kurre’s Bright House shines in many ways
Nancy and Tony Kurre, founders of The Bright House Foundation, have helped more than 500 families since its inception. (Karim Shamsi-Basha/Alabama NewsCenter)
Tony and Nancy Kurre are in the business of Bright Houses.
For as long as they can remember, they have decorated their house every Christmas with thousands of lights to bring joy and happiness to the neighbors and cars driving by. The event has become expected, and the Kurre family puts many hours into the production.
Tony and Nancy Kurre brighten the hearts of special-needs kids from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
“My father used to put lights in our front yard, and I remember being mesmerized with them from a young age,” Tony Kurre said. “As I grew up, I wanted to do the same for my kids. The lights have become a tradition, especially now with my children. We all enjoy it; my son Santo is now helping put them up.”
In 2005, the Kurres adopted Santo from Guatemala. Three years later, a different kind of bright light was born with the Kurre family when they adopted Xavier, also from Guatemala.
They knew from an early age that he was going to be a special child. Shortly after, they started the Bright House Foundation. Through the nonprofit, all children and adults with special needs will have the opportunity to thrive and experience life in their own community.
“We are so blessed to have Xavier. Once we discovered what it was like to have a special child, we decided to help others,” Nancy Kurre said. “We love looking after kids and adults who are special. Having a special child is a difficult journey, and receiving help and support can be of tremendous value to families who care for them.”
The Bright House Foundation has helped more than 500 families since its inception. The assistance is more than financial; the organization tries to be strong advocates for the families to understand what it means to have a special-needs child. Tony Kurre uses his popular morning show on WJOX 94.5, The Opening Drive, as a platform to promote the foundation.
When I asked the Kurres about the analogy between Bright House Foundation and their bright house every Christmas, Tony and Nancy looked at each other and smiled.
“I have never thought of the analogy between our bright Christmas lights and the Bright House Foundation, but Xavier means bright eyes. So we have bright eyes, bright lights and Bright House Foundation,” Tony Kurre said. “It is very fitting. If we can get people to support families with special needs, it’s all worth it. We do the lights every year, and we are always working with Bright House Foundation. Both mean a lot to our families.”
Bright House, bright Christmas lights and bright eyes – it’s all very fitting.
For information and to donate, visit www.thebrighthousefoundation.org.
Alabama Bright Lights captures the stories, through words, pictures and video, of some of our state’s brightest lights who are working to make Alabama an even better place to live, work and play. Award-winning photojournalist Karim Shamsi-Basha tells their inspiring stories. Email him comments, as well as suggestions on people to profile, at karimshamsibasha@gmail.com.
