Are you a part of something special?

Are you participating in Share Your Light Night luminary event this weekend (Dec. 12th, Sat., 6PM) to brighten the streets while uniting neighbors here in VB?

SYLNight goes a step further than a simple luminary display as neighbors come outside their home and create relationships between one another. The event is built upon the quintessential spirit shared by all people during the holidays: unity and peace. To participate, all you need are lunch bags, sand or birdseed, and a safe light source within each bag and a willingness to talk to your neighbors. Consider offering your visiting neighbors warm cocoa, cider, and cookies to add to the festivities. Music is also a welcoming touch. Be sure to extinguish your luminaries before returning inside your home

If you are going to be away from the house, ask your neighbor if they can set them out for you when they set out theirs. If you did not already talk to them about this event, there is no time like the "present.” Perhaps offer luminaries to them as a neighborly gift. Although inexpensive, the beauty it creates is priceless!

While you are taking in the beauty your street's ribbon of light creates, please take pictures to preserve the memory for not only yourself, but for current and future neighbors. If possible, use the fireworks mode and tripod or other stable surface when photographing at night. Please share the photos and stories about your event by emailing them to SYLNights@yahoo.com or posting them to Share Your Light Night Facebook group. They will be graciously offered online for other neighbors to appreciate and perhaps, used in future advertisements. Your photos may inspire others to join you in uniting other distant neighbors.

If your neighborhood civic league or homeowner association did not advertise this event this year, ask them if they will next year. What other groups do is light the entryway to the neighborhood, encourage neighbors to come outside at the same date and time (2nd Sat. in Dec.) to light their luminaries, and walk the neighborhoods taking in the beauty of endless ribbons of light created by the luminaries. This event builds camaraderie while neighbors share music, sing, and talk with others at celebration stations. SYLNight can also be used to raise funds for charities or community group projects. If adopted by your neighborhood organization and advertised as a neighborhood-wide event, the dates may be personalized to meet the needs of their activity calendar during the holiday season.

Remember, if it rains, the event will be rescheduled for Sunday -reference the SYLNight website at www.shareyourlightnight.blogspot.com and an updated message will be posted on phone 714-2772.