Luminarias shine a light on Good Samaritan Program, honor family members

Our community’s annual Luminaria event will return this year as a way to raise funds for Presbyterian Manor’s Good Samaritan Program and also honor family members during the holidays.

“This year’s Luminaria event is even more important because it helps maintain little pieces of normalcy and celebrate the loved ones in our lives, especially when we can’t hug them or see them often right now,” said Sarah Oenning, vice president in PMMA’s Department of Giving.

The luminarias consist of Ball® jars filled with small lights and a photocell battery on the lid that absorbs that sun’s rays during the day and turns the lights on at night. The jars hook on to the top of shepherd hooks and are placed along the sidewalk on the southwest corner of campus.

At 5:30 p.m. on December 5, the Luminaria dedication ceremony will take place virtually on the Emporia Presbyterian Manor Facebook page and will feature several speakers who will discuss the significance of the luminarias and the impact the Good Samaritan Program has on our residents.

“We invite everyone to join us on December 5 to virtually celebrate all loved ones honored by this event and also kick-off the holiday season with carols,” said Crystal Stock, marketing director.

The luminarias can be purchased for $25 each to honor a family member, whose name will be written on a tag placed on each luminaria. All funds will go to the Good Samaritan Program, which provides funding to assist residents who outlive their financial resources through no fault of their own.

“I give to Emporia Presbyterian Manor’s Luminaria event because they’re like family. They have been there through many important parts of my life. And when I see the residents and I see the mission at work, I want to be a part of that, and I want to give to that. I want to make sure that it’s here for the next generation of seniors and for the next generation of employees,” said Sarah.

To purchase a luminaria, contact Crystal at 620-343-2613 or donate online. Your support will go to a very worthy cause—one that has allowed PMMA to proudly say it has never asked a resident to leave based on their inability to pay.

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