Published November 07. 2023 11:40AM
by Dana Grubb Special to the Bethlehem Press
Dec. 9 marks the 26th annual Luminaria Night in the Lehigh Valley, and volunteers were busy assembling the kits that are used to light the sidewalks and byways throughout the area.
New Bethany Ministries benefits from the proceeds which support the organization’s mission, according to Development Director Tim Burke. Burke says it takes 750 volunteer hours to assemble the kits that will light over 4,000 homes. “It reminds people to be the light in the lives of others in their darkest hour.”
Volunteers are still needed and may sign up at newbethany.org on the events page.
Assembly of each kit containing 10 bags, 10 candles and 10 cups of sand is underway in Suite 106 of the Promenade Shops in Center Valley. The sand is donated by Quikrete and Lowes, and New Bethany provides the candles and bags.
Kits may be purchased through block captains until November 28. They are also available at the Promenade Shops, Suite 106, 2845 Center Valley Parkway, Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 2 from noon to 3 p.m. and Saturday Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and at the New Bethany office, 333 W. Fourth St, Bethlehem, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m.
Payment may be made by check, PayPal, Venmo, credit card, and cash.
The rain date is Dec. 16.
Erin and Myles Casey of Bethlehem scoop in tandem to fill the bags of sand for each kit. Myles is earning community service hours toward his confirmation at St. Anne's School.
Brandon and George Taylor on Omaha Beach, the second stop on their Band of Brothers Overlord Tour in May. Father and son had watched the HBO series, “Band of Brothers,” when Brandon was still in high school.
Tour guide Thierry Bidault provides the background on the Longues-sur-Mer artillery battery overlooking the Normandy coast not far from the town of Bayeux.
The American Cemetery and Memorial at Colleville-sur-Mer, located on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach, is much like Arlington National Cemetery. Stunning. Solemn. Moving. The graves and headstone in neat rows.
Walking along the cemetery pathways causes one to reflect on the hundreds and hundreds who lost their lives in the assault on Normandy beaches.
Behind the memorial structure at the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer is a wall with the names of 1,557 American soldiers who lost their lives in the invasion of Normandy and associated operations, but whose remains could not be located or identified.
The view from the inside a bunker at Point du Hoc, a heavily fortified German position overlooking the Normandy beaches.
Sara Viteri of Northampton and ASR Media, and Bethlehem Catholic High School student Windsor Reiss of Bethlehem, count out the luminaria bags in tens for each kit. Reiss is earning community service hours for graduation requirements.
Brooke Lubarski from ASR Media adds ten candles to a luminaria kit.
PRESS PHOTO BY DANA GRUBB Volunteers assemble luminaria kits Nov. 1. Tim Burke, development director at New Bethany, says it take about 750 volunteer hours to assemble the thousands of kits.
