Sale Of 9-11 Luminary Kits In Newtown To Benefit Shop-With-A-Cop

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — Newtown Borough Mayor John Burke is hoping to bathe the town in candlelight on the 22nd anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in New York City, western Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.

Between now and the anniversary, the mayor has arranged to have prepackaged luminary kits available for sale at the Newtown Hardware House on South State Street and is encouraging everyone in town to line their sidewalks and driveways with the luminaries on September 11th in memory of the people who were lost that day, including 18 from Bucks County.

“I know at Christmastime everyone lights up their streets (with luminaries) and it looks beautiful,” said Burke. “So I’m hoping September 11th will be another beautiful evening in the community and everything will be lit up as we remember those who gave their lives and celebrate those who protect and serve.”

Burke has earmarked 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the kits for the Newtown Area’s Shop With A Cop program, which pairs cops with children facing difficult times in a pre-holiday shopping spree.

Through the program, each child is given $200 to purchase gifts for themselves and their family members. The kids are then joined on their holiday shopping spree by police officers from three municipalities - Newtown Township, Newtown Borough and Upper Makefield.

The magic that unfolds in the aisles and checkout lines at the Target store is priceless, not just for the child but also for the cops who get to be part of something really special.

For the past few years, Burke has also organized a salute to first responders at Pickering Field to commemorate the 9-11 anniversary. This year, however, due to a conflict with a fire company fundraiser, he won’t be holding the event, but he’s still encouraging the community to take part in the luminary event.

“It will be nice and peaceful and kind of ground people with everything going on in the world,” said Burke.

Luminary kits are available for purchase at the Newtown Hardware House for $20 each. The kits include 12 bags, 12 candles and sand. Bags should be placed outside and lit on the evening of Monday, Sept. 11.

Burke, who is originally from Long Island, said he was motivated to organize the remembrance by his own personnel connections to Sept. 11, 2001.

Twenty-two years ago, Burke was in New York City when the unthinkable happened - hijacked planes struck the towers of the World Trade Center. Hours later they would collapse.

Burke’s father, “Jack,” had also helped build the towers in the early 70s as a New York City ironworker with Local 580, which adds another layer to his personal connection to that day.

And one of Burke’s friends, a former ironworker who became a New York City firefighter, also lost his life on September 11th in the collapse of the towers.

“I’d like everyone to take a brief moment this year to remember all those people who ran into the buildings as others were running out,” said Burke.

“It takes a special person to take an oath to serve and protect someone else,” said Burke. “Whether you’re a doctor, a nurse, a firefighter, a police officer, you’re saying that someone else’s life is more important than yours and even though I don’t know you I’m going to help you. That’s a special person."