Wheaton Infant Welfare Luminaria - A Holiday Tradition for 48 Years
As the sun sets on Christmas Eve, neighborhoods are transformed into wonderlands of soft, glowing candlelight flowing in unbroken chains along curbsides and walkways. For 48 years, the Wheaton Chapter of the Auxiliary of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago has sponsored this beautiful Christmas Eve event which has evolved into a breathtaking expression of community pride, unity and caring. Proceeds from the sale of luminaria help the Infant Welfare Society bring the gift of good health to disadvantaged children.
A luminaria set includes five candles and five bags for $5.00. Lumabases, reusable plastic bases that hold the candles, are available as a set of five for $10.00. Or if you prefer, sand, birdseed, kitty litter or potting soil can be used to "anchor" candles in the bags. They are usually spaced five to ten feet apart along curbsides, driveways or sidewalks and lit at dusk on Christmas Eve. It is common for neighbors to light the luminaria of those who are away on Christmas Eve to keep the chain of beautiful light unbroken.
Luminaria sets are sold through neighborhood coordinator volunteers who solicit orders from their neighbors in November and deliver luminaria sets in early December. Luminaria sets can also be purchased between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve at both Wheaton locations of Buikema's Ace Hardware (1705 North Main Street and 90 East Loop Road) and at Carlson's TrueValue Hardware (125 East Front Street).
Wheaton Infant Welfare invites you to join us in "Lighting a Candle for a Child" this Christmas Eve by ordering or purchasing your luminaria today. For more information, please visit our website at www.wheatoninfantwelfare.org/luminaria-sale.html.
Wheaton Infant Welfare is a chapter of the Auxiliary of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago. For more than 100 years, the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago has provided quality, community-based healthcare to families in the Chicago area who would otherwise lack access to basic medical services. The Wheaton chapter has been a proud supporter of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago since 1957. Our members work to raise funds and enjoy volunteering their time as a way of making a difference in the lives of the families that benefit from services provided by the Infant Welfare Society.