Committee forming for "Light the Way" event, volunteers sought to help with planning
(Talk of the Town file photo by Tony Romano) A man looks thoughtfully at the rows of tiny shoes set up to memorialize the child victims of violence and neglect in Indiana who died last year. The memorial was part of last year's Light the Way for Child Abuse Prevention event in downtown Columbia City.
By Nick Henney
Though Child Abuse Prevention month, held each year in April, is still many months away, the Salvation Army of Whitley County and the Kiwanis Club of Whitley County are already planning their second annual Light the Way for Child Abuse Prevention vigil in downtown Columbia City.
Last year’s event welcomed more than 100 people to the Whitley County Courthouse lawn to walk in unity against childhood violence and in remembrance for those children lost to abuse or neglect.
“I hope we can stand together in prayer and remembrance this coming April as well,” said Pat Mossburg, director of the Salvation Army of Whitley County and a Kiwanis Club member.
According to Mossburg, the candlelight vigil will be planned this year by a committee.
“The Salvation Army extends an invitation to the community for volunteers to help make this event even more effective this year,” Mossburg said.
“We need individuals to help plan out the details of the event,” she added.
Mossburg hopes to make awareness the most key element of the candlelight vigil. “Prevention,” she said, “comes from awareness.”
“Our goal,” said Mossburg, “is making awareness our top priority in helping children to not be a victim of abuse.”
An open committee meeting is planned for February 19, 2009, at First Presbyterian Church beginning at 4:30 p.m.
For more information regarding the planning committee or to RSVP for the meeting on February 19, call Pat Mossburg at 248-1711.
Click here to see photographs from last year's event...