Are you a part of something special?

Are you participating in Share Your Light Night luminary event this weekend (Dec. 12th, Sat., 6PM) to brighten the streets while uniting neighbors here in VB?

SYLNight goes a step further than a simple luminary display as neighbors come outside their home and create relationships between one another. The event is built upon the quintessential spirit shared by all people during the holidays: unity and peace. To participate, all you need are lunch bags, sand or birdseed, and a safe light source within each bag and a willingness to talk to your neighbors. Consider offering your visiting neighbors warm cocoa, cider, and cookies to add to the festivities. Music is also a welcoming touch. Be sure to extinguish your luminaries before returning inside your home

If you are going to be away from the house, ask your neighbor if they can set them out for you when they set out theirs. If you did not already talk to them about this event, there is no time like the "present.” Perhaps offer luminaries to them as a neighborly gift. Although inexpensive, the beauty it creates is priceless!

While you are taking in the beauty your street's ribbon of light creates, please take pictures to preserve the memory for not only yourself, but for current and future neighbors. If possible, use the fireworks mode and tripod or other stable surface when photographing at night. Please share the photos and stories about your event by emailing them to SYLNights@yahoo.com or posting them to Share Your Light Night Facebook group. They will be graciously offered online for other neighbors to appreciate and perhaps, used in future advertisements. Your photos may inspire others to join you in uniting other distant neighbors.

If your neighborhood civic league or homeowner association did not advertise this event this year, ask them if they will next year. What other groups do is light the entryway to the neighborhood, encourage neighbors to come outside at the same date and time (2nd Sat. in Dec.) to light their luminaries, and walk the neighborhoods taking in the beauty of endless ribbons of light created by the luminaries. This event builds camaraderie while neighbors share music, sing, and talk with others at celebration stations. SYLNight can also be used to raise funds for charities or community group projects. If adopted by your neighborhood organization and advertised as a neighborhood-wide event, the dates may be personalized to meet the needs of their activity calendar during the holiday season.

Remember, if it rains, the event will be rescheduled for Sunday -reference the SYLNight website at www.shareyourlightnight.blogspot.com and an updated message will be posted on phone 714-2772.

November is here... are you thinking about the holidays yet?

As the winter festivities starts rolling, don't forget about making your neighborhood a true community. Be sure to unite with your neighbors this year. If your community league, homeowner association or PTA is not offering luminaries this year, consider getting some white lunch bags, tea lights, sand or birdseed so you and your neighbors can create not only beauty, but visable unity. Call (714-2772) or email (SYLNights@yahoo.com) to register your group of neighbors as the seedlings of a United Neighbor Community. Be proud that you are making a positive difference in your neighborhood.

SYLNight 2008

December 13th offered perfect crisp winter weather. It could have been a bit warmer, but this is why we gather to sip hot cocoa, warm up by Chimaneas, and eat freshly made warm and satisfying… chili?! WOW! What a great idea!

Seen in the photo above is a festive neighbor in Homestead pulling a wagon full of chili and drinks to their block gathering. We commend their originality in making a wagon their festive vehicle decorated with Christmas lights. How fun are they! You all get the spirit award! One could easily envision SYLNight parades in your future.

In another neighborhood, the Charlestown area of Kempsville had nearly 2000 luminaries lining their streets with Santa pulling a trailer filled with talented carolers, mounted police, and Celebration Stations offering cookies and drink. Neighbors parked their vehicles at the gathering areas to play Christmas music as they socialized. Baycliff neighbors not only enjoyed illuminated streets, but also warmly received carolers offering the gift of song. We are thankful for the joyful memories made by involved neighbors.

These types of neighborhood organizations encapsulate the precise spirit SYLNight wants to encourage in every community. Everyone has a talent to offer - either the talent of a beautiful voice, the skill to build a festive atmosphere, or simply the gift of gab. All it takes to bring out these assets are community leaders who simply encourage their neighbors to become involved in the community through SYLNight – a festive holiday tradition.

SYLNight participants will be meeting in February to debrief and plan for next year. For more information, email shareyourlightnight@yahoo.com or call 714-2772.

Here's a post from last year's event...

CLICK HERE to see all the fun neighbors had in the Homestead neighborhood. What a bunch of great people.

Check back often as there will be more photographs uploaded from other neighborhoods throughout the city over these next few weeks. When this site receives them, you can see them.

The Virginian Pilot's pre-event coverage in Saturday's "Home" section - Nov. 29, 2008...