Family Centers Gears up for Annual Luminary Campaign

Family Centers’ annual Hope Lights Lives luminary project is well underway, which means the holidays aren’t too far behind.

Volunteers across Fairfield County are currently selling luminary kits in preparation for the event’s multi-town lighting.  With more than 5,000 luminary kits sold each year, Hope Lights Lives – Family Centers’ annual fundraiser to benefit the Center for HOPE and The Den for Grieving Kids – has grown to into a true holiday tradition. 

On Sunday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m., Darien, Fairfield, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Rowayton, Southport, Stamford, Weston and Wilton residents will adorn their lawns with special luminaries.  In addition to creating a festive display, the luminaries are also meant to honor loved ones who have died or are coping with a critical illness. 

“Luminary Week” officially begins on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Old Greenwich Merchants Association’s annual First Light Festival.  Hundreds of luminaries will be on display at Binney Park in Old Greenwich to greet festival-goers as they walk to the center of town. 

Hope Lights Lives is primarily a volunteer-based effort.  More than 600 Town and Block Captains from each community sell luminary kits and deliver order forms to households on their streets.  Dozens of other volunteers also help assemble luminary kits, and distribute them as the lighting date nears.  Luminary kits are also available for purchase online at www.familycenters.org. 

“Hope Lights Lives” luminary kits are $25 and contain 12 tea light candles, 12 white paper bags and 12 plastic candle holders.  All proceeds benefit the Center for HOPE and The Den for Grieving Kids, Family Centers critical illness and bereavement support programs.  For more information on Hope Lights Lives, call Aleksa Lazarewicz at 203-869-4848 or visit www.familycenters.org or www.facebook.com/familycentersinc.  

“Hope Lights Lives” is sponsored by Splash Car Wash, Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, Rucci Law Group, LLC, Walter Stewart's Market, Springdale Florist, Siegel, Reilly & Conlon, LLC, Wells Fargo, Sandi and Jim Duffy, Philip Anstey, Jan Dilenschneider and Christina Horner.

Memorial gifts were made by: Ann G. Croll in memory of Bess H. Hubbard; GE Capital in memory of Pawel Sywak; People's United Bank in memory of Joseph Berrios; Nancy Palmer in memory of Paul Palmer; Anne G. Mille in memory of Patricia Flynn Young; and The Schriber Family in memory of Pawel Sywak.

Family Centers is a private, nonprofit organization offering education and human services to children, adults and families in Fairfield County. More than 2,400 professionals and trained volunteers work together to provide a wide range of responsive, innovative programs. A United Way, Community Fund of Darien and New Canaan Community Foundation partner agency, Family Centers is a member of the Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies and the Alliance for Children and Families and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The agency is licensed by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. Visit www.familycenters.org for additional information.