Middle School YAB To Help Local Charities

“Leave a candle burning brightly in the window…” At this time of year the Middle School YAB’s (Youth Advisory Board) thoughts turn to helping others. The group, 55 members strong, wanted to contribute their efforts to make someone’s holidays a little brighter. And so was born The Millennium Candle Project Fundraiser.

Word of Ireland’s countrywide method of celebration spurred the YAB to enhance on the idea. In Ireland, all households will be given a candle on New Year’s Eve. The burning candles are to be placed in the front window of Irish homes to herald the arrival of a new century. The YAB liked this idea and decided to take it a couple of steps further. Over the course of three afternoons, the YAB group, which includes students from the Newtown Middle School, St Rose and the Newtown Progressive School, met to bring this project to completion.

The Millennium Candle Project consists of a small clay pot painted with a stencil of hearts, stars, or doves. Each pot is distinctive; no two are alike. Once the pots dried, members added sand and a blue votive candle. (Blue is said to be the color of the millennium.) That task completed, the pots were wrapped in cellophane and tied with a blue bow. A simple pale blue hang tag with the picture of a dove was added with the word “Peace.”

The YAB is most grateful to Linda Manna of Newtown Country Mill for her contributions and advice on this worthwhile undertaking. Mrs Manna was instrumental in obtaining some of the materials and suggesting ways of tackling this large endeavor.

Now, 150 millennium candles are ready for sale. The mission of the YAB is community service and the group voted to donate the proceeds of this fundraiser to The Newtown Fund and the Canine Advocates of Newtown. Additionally, the group will sponsor a family assigned to them by the Newtown Fund. Candles are available at the Newtown Middle School and at Youth Services, who sponsor the group. The cost of each is $3. So, if you need a special gift for someone, think of the YAB. Your support will help two very worthy causes, said YAB coordinator Roseann Loring.