"We started with the idea of keeping holiday lights on in order to send a sign of support. Then, the Boy Scout troop reached out to us with this idea of adding luminaria to add an extra gesture of love and support,” says Lisa Cordingley, the Executive Director of the Helena Education Foundation. “Of course, February 14th is a great day to do that."
The Helena Education Foundation wanted to commemorate all those working in the pandemic by encouraging the community to keep their holiday lights on since December 2020. Now, Helena Boy Scouts have stepped in for a service project, making luminaria kits for a grand community light display on the 14th of February, 2021. Downtown Helena Inc. is also involved by creating free signs spreading the word of the event (pictured above).
"It was amazing seeing the howling that happened over the summer, Howling at 8 o'clock. It's kind of stopped up until now so what are other ways that we can share that we are still supporting these people who are not just the frontline workers, but also our businesses who are going through a tough time as well, and the teachers,” says Mike Rooney, the Operations Director of Downtown Helena Inc. “It's all the different ripple effects. We just want to recognize their sacrifice and what they are putting themselves through to protect this community."
For anyone wanting a sign, you can visit the Downtown Helena Inc. office at 330 North Jackson Street.
If your business would like to help distribute these kits, please contact Doug Wheeler at troop214helena@gmail.com.
Troop 214 Boy Scouts have made 300 boxes, as of January 21st, 2021, with each box able to make six luminarias. The suggested donation is $4 per box and you can pick them up across businesses listed below:
- 1889 Coffee House
- Dave’s Exxon
- Allegra Marketing
- Van’s Thriftway
**The list will change as soon as we hear updates from Troop 214.**
