Unite by Light 2021 - December 5, 2021
Join us for Unite by Light 2021, a fully inclusive luminary event that unites an entire community for a single night of connection and joy.
“So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.” – Baha’U’Llah
Uniting the community, bringing joy, and creating a brighter world.
On December 5, 2021*, Simsbury CT will be aglow by candlelight with the spirit of friendship, unity, and community as we come together to #UnitebyLight.
This year, we are focusing this event along Hopmeadow St.
We invite you to buy and decorate two of the 1,200 luminaries that will once again line both sides of a one-mile stretch of Hopmeadow St. for the Simsbury Unity Mile!
Single luminaries will be provided free-of-charge to Simsbury older adults so that they, too, can be a part of this community celebration.
Individuals and families are invited to purchase** and personalize/decorate 2 luminaries for $20 that our volunteers will fill with sand, light, and place along the Simsbury Unity Mile.
Or become a Family Sponsor with a $100 donation that provides 10 older adults with luminaries so that they, too, can unite by light.
* Inclement weather date is Sunday, December 12, 2021.
** Each purchase of a luminary supports the donation of a luminary to an older adult and funds our intergenerational programs that reduce loneliness & isolation in Simsbury and neighboring communities.
Special Events Along the Mile
Experience these special events along the route (adding weekly):
1. Simsbury High School Holiday Cabaret - strolling & caroling to raise money for Loaves & Fishes in Hartford
2. First Church of Christ - Open House and 2 seatings for a Community Supper. Sign up here for either the 4:30 or 5:30 seating.
3. The Coffee Spot will open its doors & offer its handmade hot cocoa for sale
4. Joe Pizza will sell pizza slices and cups of soup to eat while strolling
5. Simsbury United Methodist Church carillon bells will play
6. Simsbury Fire Dept. will decorate its antique fire truck with lights
Buy Two Luminaries/Give Two Luminaries for the Simsbury Unit
Buy two luminaries that we'll place along the Simsbury Unity Mile. Personalize them however you'd like. Then walk the Mile and see if you can find them!
Every luminary purchased sponsors a luminary for an older adult in town. (We're hosting sessions at local adult living communities for older adults to decorate their luminaries.)
Order on-line and pick up bags at our pop-up shop at Wine, Etc. in the Simsbury Town Shops on Saturday, November 20 from 3-6 pm OR at Fitzgerald's Foods on Saturday, November 27 from 10 am - 5 pm.
Drop off your decorated bags in the bin on the Adult Level of the Simsbury Public Library by November 29.
Become a Family Sponsor
Sponsor single luminaries for 10 older adults to decorate.
Buy a Flameless Home Kit
If you'd like to set up luminaries at your home, we have a limited number of 10-light flameless home luminary kits available for purchase. Set up your home kit and be a part of this wonderful celebration of unity that, in 2021, is focused on the Simsbury Unity Mile along Hopmeadow St. Use your home kit throughout the holiday season and for other special occasions!
Order on-line and pick up at Wine, Etc. in the Simsbury Town Shops on Saturday, November 20 from 3-6 pm or in front of Fitzgerald's Foods on Saturday, November 27 from 10 am - 5 pm.
Be a part of bringing the 2021 Simsbury Unity Mile to life!
We need your help to bring this incredible event to town! Help us assemble and light 1,200 luminaries. People of any age can play a part in assembling; adults 18+ and high school seniors can light the luminaries. We also need help cleaning up the morning after.
Assemble luminaries
On December 1 and 2, we need 12 volunteers to assemble luminaries from 6-8 pm at Boy Scout Hall.
*** Download, print, and bring signed volunteer agreement & photo release (see below) with you in order to volunteer.
Place and light luminaries along Hopmeadow St.: Dec. 5 (2-4 pm - loaders) (3-5 pm - lighters)
1. We need 6 volunteers to help us with the drive-through luminary pick-up. You'll be given an assignment for the drive-through and some people will load boxes of luminaries into the cars of luminary lighters (2-4 pm). Please arrive at Boy Scout Hall at 2:00 pm to receive instructions and help us organize the boxes of luminaries. You'll be outside, so dress warm!
2. And we need 55 adults/high school seniors to help us light the luminaries (3-5 pm)!
Families can participate with youth placing the luminaries and parents lighting them.
We'll be doing a drive-through luminary pickup for the volunteer luminary lighters. You'll receive an email on Saturday, December 4 with details and will be asked to drive into the First Church parking lot off of West St. at either 3:00 pm or 3:20 pm.
Please bring a long-handled grill lighter with you to light your luminaries!
First, we'll collect your volunteer agreement and photo release (please scroll down to print these 2 sheets of paper and bring the completed forms with you).
Then you'll be given a location assignment & safety vests. You'll pop your trunk and boxes of luminaries will be placed in your car.
You'll exit the parking lot onto Hopmeadow St., drive to your designated location, and place & light 20 luminaries with your own lighter.
Then you'll return your safety vests to us at Boy Scout Hall.
Please note that, if you intend to place 20 luminaries as a family, you should only sign up one adult in your family. If you sign up 2 people, you are agreeing to place 40 luminaries. If you sign up 3 people, you are agreeing to place 60 luminaries, etc.
***** Download, print, and bring signed volunteer agreement & photo release (see below) with you in order to volunteer.
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Clean up the luminaries: Dec. 6 (8-9 am)
We need 8 volunteers to help us clean up the morning after! Meet at Boy Scout Hall to receive your zone assignment and instructions. You'll drive to your assigned location and place a group of luminaries in a trash bag, then bring the bag back to Boy Scout Hall when finished.
*** Download, print, and bring signed volunteer agreement & photo release (see below) with you in order to volunteer.
Thank you!
All volunteers are required to download, print, and turn in the signed volunteer agreement & photo release when arriving at their scheduled volunteer time. Youth under the age of 18 must have parent/guardian sign. Thank you!
Sponsor the Simsbury Unity Mile
The Simsbury Unity Mile
With help from our friends and neighbors, we will place 1200 luminaries along downtown Hopmeadow St. on the night of December 5, 2021. Are you a business, faith or other community organization, or individual or family looking to make a difference? We invite you to support the mile of luminaries with a sponsorship.
Sponsorship Opportunities
There are five sponsorship levels available. The Title Sponsor and Titanium Presenting Sponsors are available by invitation only. These sponsors will have their name and logo shown on the banner that will hang over Hopmeadow St.
The Platinum ($1000), Gold ($500), and Silver ($250) sponsors will have their names, logos and sponsorship levels on signs placed along the Simsbury Luminary Mile.
Click on the button below to see the Platinum, Gold and Silver sponsorship opportunities. If you are interested in sponsoring this incredible 2021 event, contact Deb at deb.bibbins@forallages.org
2021 Presenting Sponsor
Johnson Brunetti
2021 Official Event Photographer and Videographer
Official Event Photographer
Official Event Videographer: Zencat Visual LLC - Eric Fadden
Official Event Videographer: Zencat Visual LLC - Eric Fadden
Official Event Videographer: Zencat Visual LLC - Eric Fadden
Official Event Videographer: Zencat Visual LLC - Eric Fadden
Official Event Videographer: Zencat Visual LLC - Eric Fadden
2021 Platinum Sponsors
2021 Gold Sponsors
