Wheaton-Naperville Infant Welfare chapter continues holiday luminaria tradition
As the sun sets on Christmas Eve, neighborhoods are transformed into wonderlands of soft, glowing candlelight flowing in unbroken chains along curb sides and walkways.
For 52 years, the Wheaton-Naperville Chapter of the Auxiliary of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago has sponsored this 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 $6.
Lumabases, reusable plastic bases that hold the candles, are available as a set of five for $15.
Or if you prefer, sand, birdseed, kitty litter or potting soil can be used to "anchor" candles in the bags.
Luminaria sets are sold through neighborhood coordinator volunteers and online at www.wheatoninfantwelfare.org/luminaria.
Luminaria sets can also be purchased between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve at both Wheaton locations of Buikema's Ace Hardware stores at 1705 N. Main St. and 90 E. Loop Road; Carlson's True Value Hardware at 125 E. Front St.; and Buikema's Ace Hardware in Naperville at 963 W. 75th St.
The Wheaton-Naperville Chapter invites you to join us in "Lighting a Candle for a Child" this Christmas Eve by ordering or purchasing your luminaria today.
The auxiliary's mission is to provide financial and volunteer support to the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago.
Established in 1913, the Auxiliary is comprised of nine chapters and more than 590 members throughout the Chicago area. Chapters are located in Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Lake Forest, Mount Prospect, Oak Brook and Wheaton-Naperville and on Chicago's North Shore. In addition, the Ambassadors-at-Large Chapter draws members from downtown Chicago.
Since its inception, the Auxiliary has donated more than $140 million to Infant Welfare Society and, due to the unwavering dedication of our members and supporters, is its largest single donor each year.
The Infant Welfare Society of Chicago was started in 1911 by nurses, physicians and women who had been volunteering at "milk stations," dispensing free fresh milk to mothers of infants as consumption of unpasteurized milk was a common cause of infant death. The new organization expanded this work to include infants exams and educating mothers about infant care.
Two years later the auxiliary was founded. The Wheaton chapter of the auxiliary was started in 1957.
In 2020, the nine auxiliary chapters with almost 600 members donated more than 21,000 volunteer hours and over $545,000 to the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago.