SUN CITY ¬– The traditional luminaria, in the eyes of Roman Catholics, helped guide the spirit of the Christ child to one’s home during the Christmas holiday.
Though they’ve become more traditional holiday decorations as of late, as well as a staple of American Cancer Society events, the design remains the same – a small paper lantern (or a candle inside a small bag) placed outside on the ground.
Lions Club of Sun City luminaria light up a neighborhood at a previous Christmas. (Photo provided)
On Christmas Eve, the Lions Club of Sun City is once again hoping to light up Sun City through their annual luminaria fundraiser.
Now in its ninth year, the fundraiser began when a former Itasca resident moved to Sun City and wanted to continue his village’s tradition.
Contact Jim Graves at 847-515-3036 or liongraves@comcast.net
Luminarias are available through Dec. 23 for $6 and $10 for corner lot homes. Checks should be mailed to The Lions of Sun City, P.O. Box 901, Huntley, IL 60142.
“The whole town participates; it’s quite a big project for them. At first, the resident got their whole neighborhood to participate, but then wanted to look for a way to spread it around. That’s where we came in,” Jim Graves of the Lions said regarding the event’s origin.
The group has averaged selling luminarias to 200 to 300 homes in the past decade, something Graves wants to improve on.
“It’s not really taking off like I’d hoped it would,” he said. “When you have over 5,000 homes in Sun City, and you only cover about 200 to 300 of them, it’s such a small percentage.
“I do understand there may be a number of residents who flock south for the winter or spend the holidays with their family, so I know we won’t ever get all the homes,” Graves said.
Now through Dec. 23, any and all interested can purchase a luminaria kit through the club. Each purchase, $6 for homes and $10 for homes located on corner lots, will provide the materials for 7 and 14 luminarias, respectively.
“We’ve assembled the kits; it would be up to them to assemble [the rest]. It’s not a tricky thing, though. We’ve put in an instruction sheet on how to assemble and display the luminaria. And we’re suggesting that, once constructed, they put them out about nine feet apart. And hopefully the weather will cooperate,” Graves said.
Those who purchase luminarias will be asked to light their purchases at around 5 to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The candles have the capability to burn for several hours.
Graves said in past years he’s seen certain neighborhoods bond together to light the streets, but he does often see some individual contributions.
“It’s pretty scattered. It’s usually smaller groups, but the more neighbors you can get to participate, the better it looks,” he said.
The group has enough supplies for 100 luminarias so far, but can assemble more as the need arises. The group will also begin distributing materials about a week and a half before Christmas, but will continue to fulfill orders through the final days before the holiday.
The fundraiser is one of the main events for the group each year and will benefit the five organizations and programs the Lions Club supports – the purchase of eyeglasses for needy children, the Grafton Food Pantry, the McHenry County Charities, the “File of Life” through the Huntley Fire Protection District, and a Lions camp for the blind and hearing impaired children.
“We’ll also actively participate by seeking donations at Walmart and [serving] breakfast at ‘Shop with a Cop,’” Graves said.
