Candlelight Service To Remember Children Who Have Died, Dec. 13, 2015

7^th Annual Candlelight service remembers children who have died

Local family members bereaved by the death of a child will come together for the 7^th annual Candlelight Service on Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. in remembrance of children who have died.

The Candlelight Service is part of the Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting which unites family and friends around the globe in lighting candles to honour and remember children who have died at any age from any cause.  It is also an extension of the agency’s support group for bereaved parents who have lost a child.

“For many families this is an opportunity to come together to openly mourn their child who died,” says bereavement specialist with CMHA-WECB, Colleen Campo.  “For those whose pain is new it is a safe place to come together with others who feel the same loss.” 

This free event includes a service that includes the reading of the name of each deceased child, lighting of candles in honour of those who have died and a memory table that will be filled with photographs left by family and friends. The Vidler family, whose son Gerry died at the age of 46 in 2013, will be available to speak with media.

The vigil will take place on Sunday, December 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the WFCU Centre on Mickey Renaud Way, Windsor. This year the event is being supported by Heavenly Rest Family of Catholic Cemeteries,  Remember Our Children, Tim Hortons, Rose Wood and family, the Douglas family, the Osborne family, the Marentette family, the Gaudet family and the Knapp family.

CMHA-WECB has a vision of “mentally healthy people in a healthy society”. The bereaved parents group is part of the agency’s adult bereavement program. This program relies on community support to provide its breadth of services.

 About the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)

Founded in 1918, The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a national charity that helps maintain and improve mental health for all Canadians. CMHA-WECB is a lead provider and advocate of community mental health services. This is achieved through treatment, collaboration, education and community engagement.

by Alan Halberstadt www.alanhalberstadt.com