Brody Enli
Brody Enli, a 15-year-old philanthropist, has designed, created and operated a charitable light show in Oshkosh since 2019. His efforts have been featured in regional, statewide and national news, raising thousands of dollars for local children’s charities, while Enli’s creativity and compassion continue to inspire a community-wide spirit of giving.
The motivation behind “Brody’s Christmas Lights for Charity” is simple, Enli says: “I like helping other kids.”
For the past six years, the musically-synchronized light display has run nightly at Enli’s home on Westbreeze Drive in Oshkosh, from late November to New Year’s Day, and has raised more than $27,000 and 1.395 pounds of food donations for organizations including Oshkosh Kids Foundation and the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry. His efforts have even attracted matching gifts from area organizations.
What began as a hobby rooted in Enli’s love of electricity and technology has grown into a regionally recognized charitable event and is finding new ways to shine a light on philanthropy. In addition to his home display, Enli has created a second synchronized light show for the Oshkosh Celebration of Lights at the EAA Museum grounds for the past two years. The Celebration of Lights supports many charities in the Oshkosh community. During the early COVID-19 pandemic, Enli also organized a “Collaboration of Lights” event that brought together several neighborhood light shows like his to raise funds for NAMI and Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services.
“Inspired philanthropy that strengthens our community is at the heart of our mission,” wrote Enli’s nominators from the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation. “We are proud to nominate [him] for both his own giving and the inspiration he provides to others.”
