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The yearly event cultivates participation from 250 Lehigh Valley neighborhoods.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. (November 6, 2024) Each year for 26 years, communities across the Lehigh Valley have lit luminaria on a December Saturday, illuminating neighborhood streets and sidewalks and raising awareness of those in need. New Bethany, a local nonprofit, announced today that the 27th annual Luminaria Night will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. All funds raised will benefit New Bethany’s mission to offer hope and support to those experiencing poverty, hunger and homelessness. In 2023, $122,624 was raised through kit purchases and donations, with a total of 73,000 candles displayed throughout the Lehigh Valley.
“Our annual Luminaria Night is more than the breathtaking glow of lights. During the season of giving, it’s a reminder to take care of our neighbors,” said New Bethany’s Executive Director Marc Rittle. “This event symbolizes the spirit of generosity that defines our community.”
New Bethany seeks to expand participation every year, and neighbors are encouraged to work together to make Luminaria Night an annual community tradition. Block captains act as neighborhood coordinators, passing out flyers and distributing kits in time for the event. To become a block captain, register via https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/32Qee1/register. Friends and neighbors can use an online platform to pre-order kits to be delivered through their block captains. To find your block captain, visit https://fundrazr.com/Luminaria2024 or email jsentz@newbethany.org for more information. Orders are due to neighborhood block captains by Dec. 1st, 2024.
Individual buyers can purchase Luminaria kits in person through Dec. 14 at the following locations:
‒ The Promenade Saucon Valley, 2845 Center Valley Parkway, Suite 610, Center Valley, 18034, Across from LL Bean & next to LensCrafters. Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
‒ New Bethany Main Office, 333 W. 4th St., Bethlehem, 18015, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Volunteer opportunities at the Promenade Saucon Valley are available now through Dec. 6. In 2023, 404 volunteers dedicated over 1,562 hours of work to ensure the night was a success. Interested parties can sign up as a 2024 Luminaria Night volunteer at https://www.volunteerlv.org/opportunity/a0CVI00001qYfyr2AC/luminaria-volunteer.
Luminaria Night connects Lehigh Valley residents by lighting up neighborhoods during the holidays. The event is known by participants as the embodiment of the community coming together to help neighbors in their darkest hour. It began 27 years ago when three Bethlehem neighbors connected their homes with candlelight to symbolize unity and caring for underserved members of our community. In the early years of this tradition, several charities, including New Bethany, benefited as businesses and churches lit up their community during the holiday season. Luminaria has grown exponentially over the years and, in recent years, reached
record-high participation. Luminaria Night accompanies other December holidays that all depict the imagery of light in different ways: Hanukkah, the Winter Solstice, and Christmas.
One Luminaria Kit is a $10 donation and consists of ten white paper bags, ten votive candles, and ten cups of sand. Payment methods include checks, PayPal, Venmo, credit cards, and cash.
In case of inclement weather, a rain date has been scheduled for Dec. 21, 2024.
More information on Luminaria Night 2024 is on New Bethany’s website: https://newbethany.org/event/luminaria-night/.
About New Bethany
New Bethany offers hope and support to neighbors who experience poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness. They believe that all people, regardless of circumstances, should be treated with dignity and care without judgment. No one who seeks help is turned away. New Bethany meets people where they are by offering wraparound services designed to remove barriers and assist individuals and families in reaching self-sufficiency. It starts with a meal and other street-level human services, including showers, laundry services, mailing address, and access to their Choice Food Pantry, and continues with housing assistance, job search support and tools, and case management. To learn more about New Bethany, find them on Facebook @NewBethanyLV or visit them on the web at www.newbethany.org.
Information provided to TVL by:
Amiee Goldy
