DOTHAN: 7:00 PM Family and friends gathered at Westgate Park tonight at the ANGEL OF HOPE for a Candlelight Vigil.
A tribute to those who left this earth untimely to join the Heavenly Father.
This was the 10th Annual Candlelight Vigil. Mr. Steve Hardwick spoke and described how the Angel of Hope come into being. In year 2016, Steve was thinking about something to remember the chidlren and family who have left this world untimely. He called then Dothan Mayor Mike Schmitz about 9 PM to discuss it with him. Mayor Mike said “he was in” but he was in London and it was 3 AM there. But he would get back with him when he returned.
And Mayor Mike did as he said. The first location that was offered was Popular Park. They did not believe this was the the place and later Mayor Mike called Steve, met him at Westgate Park and it was decided on the location where it is today.
Steve told he Mayor that he was not asking for Dothan funds to construct it. And it came to reality because of donations. Mr. and Mrs. Ricky Saliba donated the concrete which was probably about $ 30,000.00. The monument known as ANGEL OF HOPE was constructed which cost around $ 100.000.00.
It costs around $ 11,000.00 a year to maintain the monument and landscape around it. Funded entirely by donations. Steve told of a lady in California who contributes who has never been to Dothan. She sends several contributions a year. She was impressed with the monument and wanted to contribute to it’s upkeep.
Dothan’s current Mayor Mark Saliba has met with Steve and supports the ANGEL OF HOPE toally. That it is a great tribute to those who have lost loved ones and what our community is all about, supporting one another.
A poem was read. Two parents spoke. A prayer. Then family and friends laid candles and flowers in rememberance of their loved ones who have untimely deaths.
NOTE: Steve Hardwick has a compassion for families suffering. For years he baked pound cakes raising money for those suffering from illness. And he raised thousands upon thousands of dollars to help people that Steve did not know until the fundraiser. Steve, PRAISE GOD, has not lost a child. But he has a calling of caring for those who have lost children and by remembering them. And that calling resulting in a vision which became reality in the ANGEL OF HOPE.
