APOLLO BEACH, Fla. — A Bay area neighborhood lit up their streets with luminaries on Christmas Eve as they have for over a decade, all for a good cause.

  • Neighbors lit 1,500 luminaries 
  • Tradition started by residents Paul and Mary Ryan
  • Money raised for Brandon Lions Club

Monday night residents of the Golf and Sea Village neighborhood in Apollo Beach lit 1,500 luminaries.

The neighborhood’s former Homeowner’s Association President, Paul Ryan, said it’s been more than a decade since he started this tradition in their neighborhood with the help of his wife, Mary. 

“We line the street up with these candles in a bag, and they’re called luminaries and we light the whole street up and it just makes it a beautiful place on Christmas Eve," Ryan explained. "And Santa knows where to go."

The couple said their neighbors quickly jumped on board with the tradition. This year, they broke a record. 

The neighborhood raised $650 for the effort, which they turned around and donated to the Brandon Lions Club, who then provided the luminaria kits. 

The Brandon Lions Club serves communities around the world by supporting local sporting programs and community outreach programs. 

Organizers with the Brandon Lions club said the Luminaria Project is their biggest fundraiser of the year. To learn more, visit http://www.brandonlions.org/luminary.php.