Friday’s night sky was not filled with hundreds of lanterns over Rossville because of rain, but a chili supper held before the event was to happen filled some bellies, and money raised for a local food pantries will fill some more later on.
“Let Your Light Shine,” at Rossville Presbyterian Church was rescheduled to Sunday evening because of the rain. The original rain date had been Oct. 12, but organizer Ryan Rollins said that would have conflicted with the Rossville High School play.
A chili supper to benefit the Rossville Food Pantry and the Summer’s End Festival fireworks display was held. Donations raised at the supper and the $5 cost of lanterns raised about $1,500.
Rollins said Sunday afternoon that he expected to sell more lanterns that evening, so more money might be raised.
He said the idea for the lantern launch came from a number of events, including the death of his mother from lung cancer last spring,
“There’s a spiritual undertow when it comes to light,” he said. “Originally we had thought to do a smaller group, and then why not turn it in to our church, then why not bring everybody into it. The more the merrier and the response has been awesome.” “It’s a great community thing, and good food,” said Cindy White early in the evening. “It’s going to be beautiful if we get to launch.”
Church member Ken Miller said it was important to support these kind of events.
“You always support the younger members of the church. When (Rollins) came up with this idea a lot of people thought it was really neat,” he said. “My wife and I were very happy to make a bowl of chili and bring it over here.”
The chili supper started at about 6 p.m., and Rollins had been watching weather radar. At first he said it looked like they might have a window at about 7:30 p.m., but it soon closed up and the rain came down harder.
“I’m sorry the weather is not cooperating right now,” Miller said, later adding that even without the lantern launch the chili was good and it was a fun event.
Rollins also noted that it might have been held earlier this year, except for the fire danger from the drought.
Chili supper
Haven Gilbert, 5, of Flora eats spaghetti during a chili supper as part of “Let Your Light Shine” Friday at the Rossville Presbyterian Church. The original idea was to launch sky lanterns, but that was postponed until Sunday evening because of the rain.
Serving chili
Volunteers dish out chili, hot dogs and soup during a chili supper as part of “Let Your Light Shine” Friday at the Rossville Presbyterian Church. The original idea was to launch sky lanterns, but that was postponed until Sunday evening because of the rain
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