When the Riga Town Board voted to have their summer concert series in these unprecedented COVID times, the Churchville Lions Club also agreed to continue the luminaria ceremony, which has had excellent community support in the past. The sixth annual Churchville Luminaria Celebration was held on Wednesday, August 12, and was a great success in raising funds for the American Cancer Society.
Donors purchased luminaria bags either in honor of survivors or in memory of loved ones lost to cancer. Village of Churchville office staff collected the donations, and the luminaria bags were brightly decorated by students from the Churchville-Chili LEO Club in their homes.
The popular Beatles tribute band, 8 Days a Week, were the featured musicians and, as expected, drew a large and appreciative crowd.
After the concert, Churchville Lions Club members Mark Kohler, Jim Pressey, and Marty Molinari placed the bags for display in front of the village gazebo. They were ably assisted by LEO Club Advisors Janelle Hernandez and Tish Juergens (and husband, Ken Juergens ).
The ceremony was an emotional and moving experience for those attending, as family, friends, and neighbors were honored and remembered. After the ceremony, those purchasing the luminaria bags were invited to take them home for further remembrance and reflections.
The Churchville Lions Club grilling team – Buzz and Linda Mantegna, Gary and Jackie Easton, George Beldue, and Al Arilotta – cooked hots and burgers during the event. Their net proceeds of $605 were added to the luminaria collections of $1,480. A grand total of $2,085 was donated to the American Cancer Society.
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