By Ryan Palencer
AVON — While one of the most difficult things for a parent to suffer through is the loss of a child, especially around the holidays.
In order to ease this pain, the Hendricks County Angel of Hope Inc. will host it’s second annual vigil at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at the angel statue in the Avon Town Hall Park.
“We are getting prepared for the event again,” said Bobbi Gray, President of the Angel of Hope program. “I can’t believe that it’s time again.”
After doing their first vigil last year, Gray said there are some changes for this year’s vigil.
“We are doing things a little different this year,” Gray said. “People can bring their own flowers, instead of just buying them from us. We will have a few for purchase for a dollar though.”
The statue and vigil in Avon will be one of many nationwide, to provide parents a place to come to mourn the loss of their children. Every year on Dec. 6, people gather at all of the statues nationwide for a vigil.
The statues were inspired by the 1993 Richard Paul Evans novel, The Christmas Box. According to Gray, Evans has made recordings to be played at all of the vigils.
The program will begin at 7 p.m. inside the Avon Municipal Building with a brief welcome ceremony. After the ceremony, attendees will walk to the angel statue for the vigil.
“We have gotten good feedback,” Gray said. “People have said they were glad (the statue) was there. It gives them a special time to remember those who they’ve lost.”
Gray said that the Angel of Hope will have an official dedication ceremony in the spring. Lisa Johnson, Evans’ assistant is expected to be in attendance.
With the tough economic times, the Angel of Hope program is having a difficult time receiving grants. Gray said that they were accepting donations to assist with the landscaping, which is one of the final steps, and for the annual vigils.
The Angel of Hope statue is also surrounded by several bricks, where families can use as a memorial for their loved ones. Gray said that they have 40 bricks down and are ordering 35 new bricks — of which 10 are reserved.
For more information on how to donate to the Angel of Hope or to get a brick, visit www.hendricksangel.org or call Gray at 745-9531.
ryan.palencer@flyergroup.com
