Each year, glowing candles line the streets of neighborhoods across the Triangle and beyond. The Light a Luminary project, now in its 32nd year, engages dozens of local communities in honor of the families staying at Ronald McDonald House who are unable to be home for the holidays due to their children’s serious illness or injury.
During December, Ronald McDonald House offers luminary kits for sale. Each kit contains supplies for 10 luminaries, including candles, cups, paper bags, and sand. Last year alone, the Light-A-Luminary project raised $188,000 for our local Houses and in-hospital respite programs for families of pediatric patients.
How It works
Each neighborhood has coordinator who organizes luminaries for the community. Each chooses a lighting night that works best for the neighborhood. The luminary lighting is a special night for young and old alike as they usher in the holiday season and illuminate their neighborhoods with the beautiful glow of candlelight.
2025 Neighborhoods – Thank you for shining f0r RMHC in 2025!
2024 Neighborhoods
Anderson Forest, Auburn, Ballard Woods, Birchwood Hills, Bishop’s Grant, Bonterra, Booker Creek, Boulder Creek, Briar Chapel, Burgundy Lane, Camberly, Cates Farms, Cedars of Bolin Forest, Chamberlynne, Chancellors Ridge, Chandler, Churton Grove, Cobble Ridge, Cobblestone, Colony Park, Corbinton Commons of Hillsborough, Courtyards at O’Kelly Chapel, Courtyards at Southpoint, Creekwood, Culbreth Ridge, Downing Creek, Fairoaks, Falconbridge, Fiori Hill, Forbrush Mountain, Forest Hills, Forest Ridge, Franklin Grove, Galloway, Governors Club, Governors Village, Greenwood, Hedingham, Highland Forest/Highland Estates & Daniel Ridge, Hope Creek, Hundred Oaks, Ironwoods and Northhaven, Lake Ellen/North Forest Hills, Lake Hogan Farms, Lassiter/Eubamks, Little Ridgefield, Meadowmont, Meredith Woods, Oaks I, Oaks II, Oaks III, Oaks Villas, Old Forest Creek, Olde Mill Stream, Park Slope, Pennington, Saybrook at the Falls, Southern Village, Southpoint Manor, Springcrest at Chapel Hill, Surrey Green/Hope Valley, ThornRose, Timberlyne, Timberlyne Estates, Trenton, Tuscany, University United Methodist Church, Walton’s Creek at Huntington Woods, Westfall, West Hampton, Wexford, Williams Woods and Horne Hollow, Woodlake – Chesden/Dardanelle/Drummond
What Participants Are Saying
The luminary project raises funds for the House while bringing our community together for this common goal. It has turned into one of my favorite nights of the year!
Nancy, Creek Wood
It’s a fun evening for all ages and a great way to usher in the Christmas holidays.
Jane, Governors Club
We combined the neighborhood HOA Christmas Holiday Party with the Luminary event. Everyone gets to enjoy the lights on their way from the party! It is a spectacular event and a wonderful charity to help expand.
Mike, The Hills at Southpoint
It provides for a magical evening that draws the entire neighborhood out in the street. In fact, it looks like a ‘landing strip’ for Santa Claus that provides even more excitement for the young kids in the neighborhood. And to see the growth and expansion at the RMH over the past few years has indeed been spiritually uplifting.
David, Anderson Forest
First and foremost, it raises funds for a great organization that supports families during very difficult times in their lives. It is also fun for families to participate and provides an opportunity for children to learn about the value of community service. Finally, our neighborhood always looks so beautiful when the luminaries are lit.
Tim, Governors Village
Email your Light-a-Luminary photos to Info@RMHCTriangle.org to add them to the community gallery.
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