Traditional Avon Luminaries Illuminate the Best in Neighbors

AVON – The return of the luminaries to the sidewalks of Avon is shedding light on the Village’s best side.

The luminaries, which are white paper bags, jars, milk jugs and anything else that will safely emit a soft glow with a candle inside, can be homemade, picked up at the Allstate Office, 65 East Main Street, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. through Friday or delivered for a $2 donation, half of which goes to the Avon Food Pantry. However, some residents insist on making donations, even with their last dollars.

“A gentleman came in today to get his Luminary Kit and paid a $2 donation,” said Michael Miron, president of the Avon Soccer Club and an organizer for the event. “When I told him 50 percent of the money raised will go to the Avon Food Pantry, he gave me a $20 bill. After five minutes of smalltalk, he sheepishly asked if he could be put on the list to receive from the Food Pantry. It was his last $20. He wouldn’t take any change. I went to Tops at lunchtime today and got him a $50 Tops Card and delivered it to his house with a note from All Of Us. Then, a friend I haven’t seen in 20 years from Woodstock sent me $50 to get this gentleman another Tops Gift Card.”

The decades-old tradition that many residents fondly remember slowly fizzled due to a lack of centralized planning. In 2015, when the Avon Soccer Club, Village of Avon, Allstate Insurance, and Avon Boy and Cub Scouts all pitched in to bring it back. The number of interested residents is growing, as are the requests for luminaries.

“Last year we did 6,600 and we’re trying to do 8,000 this year,” said Miron.

To light a luminary, fill the white bag with sand or rocks to weigh it down, put the tea candle inside, and light the candle. Luminaries are lit at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Also starting at 6 p.m., cookies and hot chocolate will be for sale at the Village Fire Hall on the circle. The Dance Emporium’s Christmas Routines start at 6:45 p.m. at the fire house, and caroling starts on the Circle at 7 p.m.

This year’s luminaries are paid for by the Village of Avon, Tops, Salvatore’s Pizza, and Dontonio’s, and the Avon Soccer Club. A $2 donation per kit is welcome but not mandatory.

To request one for Sunday pick up and delivery, email avonsoccer1@gmail.com or call Miron at (585) 734-4613.