In The Valley, Press Release

New Bethany to Hold 26th Annual Luminaria Night


The yearly event cultivates participation from 250 Lehigh Valley neighborhoods.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (November 27, 2023) New Bethany, a local nonprofit, announced today that it will host its 26th annual Luminaria Night on Saturday, December 9, 2023. All funds raised will benefit New Bethany’s mission to offer hope and support to those experiencing poverty, hunger and homelessness. In 2022, $116,658 was raised through kit purchases and donations, with a total of 70,000 candles displayed throughout the Lehigh Valley.

“Our annual Luminaria Night is not just about the warm and radiant glow of lights; it’s about remembering those in need,” said New Bethany’s Executive Director Marc Rittle. “It’s a collective observance of hope, community, and the unwavering spirit of giving.”

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: fundrazr.com/campaigns/12E3cb/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/Luminaria2023 or email luminaria@newbethany.org for more information. Orders are due to neighborhood block captains by Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

Individual buyers can purchase Luminaria kits in person through December 9 at the following retail locations:

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

a.m. to 3 p.m.

  • Moravian Book Shop, 428 Main St., Bethlehem, 18018, Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 12

p.m. to 5 p.m.

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 26 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.

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.

From now through November 30, volunteer opportunities are available Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, Suite 106, to help assemble, distribute and sell kits. In 2022, 413 volunteers dedicated 652.5 hours of work to ensure the night was a success. Interested parties can sign up as a 2023 Luminaria Night volunteer at volunteerlv.org/opportunity/a0C4z00000WIWIjEAP/luminaria-volunteer.

In case of inclement weather, a rain date has been scheduled for December 16, 2023.

To learn more about Luminaria Night, please visit newbethany.org/event/luminaria-night-2023/.

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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 and Twitter @NewBethanyLV or visit them on the web at www.newbethany.org.

 

 

Information provided to TVL by:
Amiee Goldy
http://www.socialTmarketing.com/