BETHLEHEM, Pa., — Shakespeare said it best in his play "The Merchant of Venice."
"How far that little candle throws his beams!" The Bard wrote. "So shines a good deed in a weary world.”
Last Saturday, under the last full moon of the year, more than 73,500 lighted candles along walkways throughout Bethlehem and beyond threw light into the cold night.
It signified the good deed of neighbors supporting neighbors in need.
It was the 27th Luminaria Night.
"Our motto is to be the light in your neighbor's darkest hour. We’re all in this community together,"Marc Rittle
Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit New Bethany Ministries, in South Bethlehem, helping with homelessness, hunger and poverty.
"Our motto is to be the light in your neighbor's darkest hour," New Bethany Executive Director Marc Rittle said Tuesday in a post-event phone call. "We’re all in this community together.
"You could be living next door to someone who uses our services, or maybe you find yourself in need. You never know who’s living in your neighborhood, and maybe people need help."
In the beginning
Luminaria Night started with three friends who wanted to get to know their new neighbors and also do something good for the community.
Proceeds were small at first, but grew year over year and went to several different charities.
In 2018, when Rittle came on board, the founders of Luminaria Night passed the baton to him. It had just hit the $1 million mark.
"Those cofounders still participate," Rittle said. "It was just time to hand it to someone else."
He revealed statistics from this year's drive:
- $125,000 has been raised so far and will come in through January
- 7,000 kits have been prepared (each kit is a white paper bag, votive and sand)
- 60 tons of sand — actually QuickCrete, which donates it
- Lowe's delivers it to a new "warehouse" site each August. Sand arrives in September. This year, Promenade Saucon Valley had space; Rittle called them "a wonderful partner" and very generous, giving a discount on space across from L.L. Bean
- Kits cost $10 and include 10 white paper bags, white votive candles and 10 cups of sand
- Kits are assembled by volunteers for six weeks — 4-6 p.m. four days a week, November through early December
- 337 volunteers make the event happen
- 175 of those volunteers are block captains who sell the kits to neighbors via flyers, then pick up and deliver them.
Doing for others
Even Bethlehem Mayor Willie Reynolds "captained" City Hall, gathering private donations enough for 200 kits, from about 30 city employees, who then volunteered Saturday evening to set them up around the perimeter of the site.
"I think in the past others may have done it in the neighborhood, but it was important to me and us that it was driven by city employees," Reynolds said.
"We wanted to do it ourselves, because we really appreciate the important work of New Bethany and what they do for our most vulnerable residents.
"We were not surprised, but inspired by how many city employees wanted to say, 'We agree with New Bethany's mission to help people in need in our city.'"
"Those neighbors loved it because it's usually pitch black there. They did God's Acre Cemetery for the first time. People were really trying to capture, with the UNESCO heritage status, the feel of the historic area. All the side streets around City Hall. It was a big, big focus this year."
Two police officers on duty that night cleaned up the leftover debris when the candles were extinguished.
Candles burned along walks and driveways in Bethlehem, Saucon Valley, East Allentown, west Easton and parts of Hellertown. Donations poured in from across the area as well.
"This year was one of our bigger years in terms of visibility," Rittle said. "All of Main Street, Broad Street in either direction, Nisky Hill Cemetery — the entire perimeter.
"Those neighbors loved it because it's usually pitch black there. They did God's Acre Cemetery for the first time. People were really trying to capture, with the UNESCO heritage status, the feel of the historic area.
"All the side streets around City Hall. It was a big, big focus this year."
Door-to-door is how Luminaria Night began, with neighbors taking the initiative to inspire others on their block to participate. More than half the effort is led by the "block captains."
Doing for others
Here's a conversation with Brianne Beebe, who regularly participates but took on the challenge for the first time this year, with her family's support:
Q: How long have you been a block captain, and what made you become one?
Beebe: "I have always loved the significance of Luminaria Night, so last year I decided to help by being a block captain in my neighborhood. I wanted to make it easier for neighbors to donate. It was such a success that I’ve decided to continue going forward."
Q: How much time does it take, and what is the process?
Beebe: "There are three main steps to being a block captain. First, I make and distribute order forms. This year my children (Duncan, 7, and Sawyer, 4) helped with adding a small treat to the fliers and delivering them to doorsteps. The second step is picking up the kits from New Bethany, and delivering them to neighborhood homes that ordered them. Our final step is on Luminaria Night, where we can help any neighbors who might need an extra hand setting up or taking down the luminaries."
Q: What is rewarding about leading this endeavor?
Beebe: "Being a block captain and involving my kids in the process means so much to our family. Not only do we help raise funds for New Bethany (a fantastic organization), but we get to bring our neighborhood together. This is just one volunteering event where I can include Duncan and Sawyer, and lead by example, with the hopes that they continue to grow into kind and empathetic people. The luminaries are a great way to actually visualize how many neighbors are “helpers” who care about others."
Q: Do your boys understand why Luminaria Night exists? If so, what do they think about their community members being hungry? Has it inspired your family in general to do other good deeds?
Beebe: "Duncan says it’s 'really, really sad' that some community members need food assistance, and he has a reasonable grasp on how the donations from neighbors help. We participate in other volunteering opportunities, especially around the holidays. Their schools are great at organizing food drives or donation events, and we also participate by donating Holiday Hope Chests with the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley. It’s fun for Duncan and Sawyer to shop for and wrap boxes for kids their age in need. They also love going on 'garbage walks' where we help clean up our neighborhood or walking trails. There is something satisfying about getting to see the difference you’re making… just like with Luminaria Night."
Q: Do you try to exceed your goal from the previous year? How many neighbors participated? How do you get them to say yes, and do any ever say no?
Beebe: "This year, we raised just over our $500 goal and had 22 households donate. Going forward, we may increase the footprint beyond our block. Duncan and Sawyer will be given the option to help, and I’m sure they’ll happily volunteer. Hopefully knowing they grew up making a difference in people’s lives will form them into kind adults just like so many of our wonderful neighbors."
