Wonderful Turnout At The Angel Of Hope Annual Vigil

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Posted by: Steve Hardwick
Date: Dec 09 2018 9:20 AM

The 3rd Annual Candlelight Vigil was held this past Thursday at the Angel Of Hope Statue at Westgate Park in Dothan.

Even with frigid cold temperatures over 300 parents who have lost a child attended the vigil.

The beautiful program began with Mrs. Bonnie Curry singing “ In The Garden “ and then the

President Of The Wiregrass Angel Of Hope, Alicia Hayes, welcomed all to the vigil and shared how The Angel Of Hope

comforts her after the loss of her son...Cody Hayes.

Pastor Johnny Fain led us all in prayer and afterwards The Friends Choir with Dothan Leisure Services sang two songs

and as always they were absolutely Amazing.

Jane Saliba read the beautiful poem she wrote 3 years ago for the Angel Of Hope...“ Band Of Angels. “

James Johnson, Leigh Wicker and Hayley Northey shared their loss with all who attended and there wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd,

I even noticed a young news reporter, who was there to cover the vigil, wiping his eyes.

But the beauty of it all was that all the parents being there together sharing their loss with others gave one another comfort

that only they could provide to one another because they all had one thing in common..

THE LOSS OF A CHILD.

Here are just a few of the comments parents made after attending the candlelight vigil...

“ I went to the Candle light vigil at The Angel Of Hope last night. WOW!!!! It was a Beautiful vigil! Lots of tears, some laughs and some Beautiful memories. I’m so glad my sweet friend Deborah Trammel came to sit with me!! I left there feeling very blessed! Thank you so much Steve Hardwick!”

“ Understandably a little shaky video...this was truly an emotional event, but I can say with absolute certainty that other than our children in Heaven, God was at the center of this event. Angel of Hope 2018. Our first, but it won’t be our last. Thank you Steve.”

“ Went to my first candlelight vigil at the Angel of Hope tonight! Absolutely beautiful and comforting. We put candles and flowers at the statue for my sweet Eli and mama put one for bubba, I was also able to put one for sweet Axl for Brittany Sgro❤️ So glad I met Steve Hardwick and was asked to come. Such a special place to be! ❤️❤️“

The Angel of Hope Statue is for every parent who has lost a child of any age starting at conception.
It is a place to provide comfort, healing and also a way of remembering each child so they are never forgotten.

Engraved on the right wing is HOPE and her arms are reaching out to welcome all who comes to her.

Each year on December 6th at 7:00pm, a candlelight memorial service is held at the Angel of Hope statue in Westgate Park.

All are welcome to attend in memory of their beloved child/children.

A candle and a white flower will be provided to those who attend.

In addition to representing hope to all parents who have endured the death of a child,

The Angel Of Hope Statue serves as a gravesite for parents that don’t have one.

It is a symbol of hope, a place to reflect, a place of healing and a special place for people to grieve.

The Angel is a symbol that will represent and honor our children.

Our children will live in our hearts and lives forever.

Remember that our children live through us; and their lives can touch many others through us.

Parents need to feel hope that they will survive and move on, and that their children will never be forgotten

If you know of a family who has lost a child please tell them about the Angel Of Hope Statue