SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP, ALLEN COUNTY, Ohio (WLIO) - Shawnee Township neighborhoods were bright, festive and merry Tuesday night as the annual Shawnee Luminary Night returned to Indianbrook, Wildbrook and Timberfield.
More than 5,000 luminary candles lined the streets as houses came to life with magical Christmas displays for the Deck Your House contest. Santa Claus — along with a few elves and even Tundra the reindeer — also made an appearance.
In addition to spreading Christmas spirit throughout Shawnee, residents collected canned goods, toiletries and money for the West Ohio Food Bank.
"The kids are so excited, and this is what it's all about. Christmas is bringing joy to kids. There's a need out there, so many people that they don't have the means to buy food, and so, West Ohio Food Bank. We contacted them. They jumped on board, and we asked people to bring a canned good and there's also a QR code on the entrance signs that you could give by that," says Cheryl Morgan, Shawnee Luminary Night Committee.
Last year, the event brought in 2,100 pounds of food and more than $1,600 for the food bank.
