Luminaria being sold for Christmas Eve tradition

Every Christmas Eve, luminaria line the walkways and curbs of local neighborhoods in support of the Wheaton-Naperville Chapter of the Auxiliary of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago.

Residents interested in participating this year can purchase sets of five candles and bags for $6. A set of five reusable plastic bases to anchor the candles costs $12, though sand, birdseed, kitty litter and potting soil can also be used.

Proceeds go toward the Infant Welfare Society, which provides health care to disadvantaged children, organization leaders said.

Neighborhood coordinators are selling luminaria sets in November to be delivered in December. They also can be purchased between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve at both Wheaton locations of Buikema's ACE Hardware, 1705 N. Main St. and 90 E. Loop Road; Carlson's True Value Hardware, 125 E. Front St.; and Buikema's ACE Hardware in Naperville, 963 W. 75th St.

The candles are spaced five to 10 feet apart on curbs, driveways or sidewalks and are lit at dusk on Christmas Eve.

Visit wheatoninfantwelfare.org/luminaria for more information.