9-11 Luminary Sale To Light Up Newtown, Help Kids In Need

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — Luminary kits benefiting Shop With A Cop are still available for sale at the Newtown Hardware House on South State Street.

For the third year, Newtown Borough Mayor John Burke is organizing the luminary drive, in conjunction with the Newtown Rotary Club, to light up the borough and the township in memory of the first responders who died on 9-11 and as a visible thank you to Newtown’s first responders.

Between now and Friday, September 9 luminary kits are being sold at the Newtown Hardware House on South State Street or by contacting Burke directly via email at John.burke79@yahoo.com. The kits can be purchased for $20 a piece with each kit containing a dozen bags, a dozen candles and a bag of sand.

The idea, said Burke, is to bathe neighborhoods in the warm, peaceful glow of candlelight to mark the 21st anniversary of the 9-11 terror attacks.

This is the third year Burke is organizing the luminary sale and a special remembrance event, which is scheduled for Friday evening, Sept. 9 at Pickering Field.

“The idea is just to stop and pause and pump the brakes a little from the world while we remember the first responders who ran into the towers 21 years ago and our own first responders who serve our community every day,” said Burke.

The special evening on Sept. 9 will begin with music from 6 to 6:30 p.m. followed by welcoming remarks by Burke at 6:30 p.m. and a remarks by local fire and police chiefs.

Burke will also join District Judge Mick Petrucci in presenting a check to the Shop for a Cop program from the proceeds from the luminary sale.

After the ceremony, Burke said he’s hoping the streets of the borough and the township will be lit up with luminaries as everyone heads home.

“If everyone lights their luminaries prior to going to the remembrance it will be dark when everyone goes home and the hope is all the luminaries will be lighting their way home,” said Burke. “It will be nice and peaceful and will kind of ground people with everything going on in the
world.”

The community’s first responders, including the Newtown Ambulance Squad, the Newtown Township and Newtown Borough Police Departments and the Newtown Fire and Emergency Services will be invited to attend the special evening.