Daily dose of sweetness: St. Paul neighbors 'unite with light' to honor essential workers

Luminarias are lighting front yards along four blocks of a St. Paul neighborhood on Sunday evenings in April in support of essential workers.

It’s to show respect and gratitude to everyone on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Jane McKim, who has lived in the Summit Hill neighborhood for 48 years. 

Luminarias in St. Paul

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That includes anyone from health-care workers, grocery store employees and delivery drivers to those who might be struggling or “parents who are just keeping things together,” Elisabeth Holod said. 

Residents are putting out the white paper bags illuminated by candles or LED lights around sunset on Fairmount, Osceola and Goodrich avenues. They’re decorated with hearts and encouraging words, like “hope,” “strong” and “thank you medical workers.”

“We all want to say, ‘We're with you. We stand by you. Don't feel alone,’ ” Holod said.

From acts of kindness and sweet gestures to inspirational signs, these are some of the ways Minnesotans are lifting one another during the coronavirus pandemic.

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