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New options to buy Westwood’s Christmas Eve luminarias

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Boy Scouts in Troop 681 are making it even easier for Westwood residents to purchase luminaria kits for the neighborhood’s Christmas Eve display.

On Monday, many of the troop’s 60 members started selling the $10 luminaria kits by going door-to-door throughout Westwood. It was also the first of their four drive-thru sales events, a new feature for the 45-year-old neighborhood tradition.

The drive-thru sales occur in the Westwood Club parking lot. Remaining days and times are 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14; 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec. 19 and 8 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 24. The club is at 17394 W. Bernardo Drive in Rancho Bernardo.

Kits may also be purchased from the Westwood Club’s staff now through Christmas Eve during operating hours.

Instead of the Boy Scouts going door-to-door whenever their schedules permit as in years past, this year they are doing a residential sales blitz only during set times, said Ross Simmons, the troop’s committee chairman.

Remaining days and times the boys will be ringing Westwood doorbells and knocking on doors are 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21.

Simmons said this new sales tactic is to increase awareness of the luminaria project.

“Every year some residents say they do not know what is going on or did not have a chance to purchase in advance,” Simmons said, adding that by announcing when the boys will be stopping by, residents can also be ready to make a purchase on the spot since only cash or checks are accepted. Checks must be written to Westwood Club.

Each $10 kit contains 20 candles and 20 bags. Those with corner homes may purchase two kits for $15. Sand will be delivered to each home during the morning of Christmas Eve so residents have ample time to set out their luminarias before it gets dark.

Tony Tristan, the troop’s luminaria chairman, said non-Westwood residents who would like to decorate their homes with luminarias are also welcome to purchase kits during the drive-thru sales or at the club. However, they may only pay with cash. If they would like sand, they may return to the club on Christmas Eve with buckets so they can transport it home.

Tristan said this year the boys assembled more than 1,800 kits.

If all are sold and put out on Christmas Eve, the neighborhood’s streets and driveways will be illuminated by around 36,000 candle-lit bags.

“It is popular on Christmas Eve for people to drive slowly through to see the candles,” Tristan said. “A lot (of residents) also walk through the community and hang out with their neighbors.”

Simmons said the community service project is run through the Westwood Club, which purchases the supplies. It typically donates all the proceeds to Troop 681, which uses the money for camping expenses and gear, outings throughout the year and other costs associated with running the troop.

Since established in the early 1970s, Boy Scout Troop 681 has produced 121 Eagle Scouts. Its members — boys between the ages of 11 and 17 — meet on Monday evenings in the San Rafael Parish Hall. For details, go to troop681.com.

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