Scouts to the rescue, Troop 2 helps save Luminaria

Posted on January 1, 2022 By Editor Junior Residents

Boy Scout Troop 2, St. Johns Presbyterian Church: Robin Doering, Casey Marshall, Harrison Clark, Jackson Cooke, Will Clark, Barry Burton, Keith Holt, Alan Wilson, Noah Tritt, Kirby Truitt, and Kip Truitt

Boy Scouts Troop 2 of St. Johns Presbyterian Church saved the 2021 Luminaria event by helping to bag thousands of bags of sand.

The annual Luminaria hosted by Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP) had originally been scheduled for December 19 but had to be moved up a week to avoid conflicting with a Jaguars home game. The day before, the bagging of sand was not nearly complete. Thanks to the Boy Scouts’ assistance, RAP sold a record number of bags last year.

Support for the Preservation is shown by purchasing Luminaria Kits. RAP distributed 24,000 luminaries in Riverside, Avondale, and parts of Ortega—4,000 were supplied to parks and public spaces, 1,000 were donated to churches.

Residents lit their lanterns at twilight, carolers and musicians strolled door to door. Pedestrians roamed the neighborhoods, admiring Christmas lights and drinking cider. ZenCog Bicycle Company on Stockton Street organized a ride. Nearly 40 police officers from Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, some on horseback or bike, helped keep the event safe.