Light Up the Night to Help Others — SJWC Luminary Night is Dec. 11

For many of Simsbury’s residents, the power outage that followed winter storm Alfred left us without any way to heat our homes. 

“For the first time, we felt what it was like to wake to a bitterly cold house, knowing that we could not warm it during the day,” said Simsbury Junior Woman’s Club member Kathleen Schuster. “For most of us, that ended when the power was restored. But we know that for some of our neighbors this winter, finding the money to pay for the oil that will heat their homes can be an everyday struggle.” 

In fact, over the last four years, the number of Simsbury families who turn to Simsbury’s Department of Social Services for fuel assistance has nearly doubled.

“These past few weeks have been a particularly difficult time for many of us in Simsbury. But as the darkness fell on our beautiful community, I was truly amazed at how the residents of Simsbury pulled for one another — neighbors helping neighbors. We are all very blessed to be a part of such a wonderful and strong community,” said Juniors Woman’s Club member Stacie Windisch. 

In celebration of this truly extraordinary community, the Simsbury Junior Woman's Club is sponsoring its Second Annual Simsbury Luminary Night on December 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. This year all proceeds will benefit the Simsbury Department of Social Services, specifically the fuel assistance and food programs. Simsbury Juniors invites everyone to "Light Up the Night" by placing luminary candles sold by the club along their driveways and walkways in a non-denominational community celebration of the season.

“Last year, Simsbury Juniors held Luminary Night as a way to raise money for Paxton Holmes, a Simsbury second grader who needs a life-saving liver transplant,” noted Schuster, who is the chair of this year’s Luminary Night. “We were truly overwhelmed at the generosity and support that Simsbury showed last year as we raised $20,000 to support Paxton. When we decided to make this an annual event, we knew we wanted the money we raised to help support others right here in Simsbury.”

“In addition, we have received an extremely generous grant from the Ensign-Bickford Foundation, helping us pay for the materials in the luminary kits that we sell, so that all profits can go directly to the Department of Social Services,” she said.

“Luminary Night was such a special event last year,” recalled Simsbury Junior Sara Mogck of Alder Road. “Neighbors up and down Alder put out their luminary candles and then we joined each other in the street for cocoa and cookies to celebrate the holidays, recognizing how blessed we are to live in a place like Simsbury.”

To order luminary kits or to make a donation, visit www.simsburyjuniors.org.  Kits cost $15 and consist of the materials to make 10 luminaries. The kits will be delivered to your home during the week prior to Luminary Night.