Lights for Little Lives Memorial Walk Honors Little Lives Gone Too Soon

"The fact that there are always so many of you present at this event no matter the weather — even when it has been drizzling in past years —really comes to show the support we have for each other," said Stan Morrison, master of ceremonies at the induction of the 14th annual Lights for Little Lives Memorial held on Dec. 31 — New Year's Eve. That day unity was exemplified by families gathered at the Ronald McDonald House in Loma Linda. Hosted by The Unforgettables Foundation for over a decade, the Little Lives Memorial walk is presented as an opportunity for families to reflect on and honor the lives of the beloved children who have passed away and keep their presence thriving in the hearts of of those whose lives they touched. Gary Christmas, Unforgettables Foundation board chairman, welcomed the crowd and emphasized the importance of keeping the memories of lost little ones always alive and to continuously support each other in times of despair and trial, including learning to cope with the loss of a loved one. With an invocation given by Reverend Ray Turner, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Christmas, and the National Anthem sung by Matt Rubic, the ceremony began as doves were released in symbolic tradition in memory of "the children gone too soon." Three mothers who recently lost children in 2013 were given the opportunity to individually release a dove and lead the release of a dozen doves. As doves flew off into the valley, event leaders explained that just as the doves flew off in freedom, so too did the lost children "fly off to a better place where there is [happiness]." The City of Loma Linda and the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce expressed their support and deepest condolences for the grieving families that experienced the terrible loss during the event. Representing the city and the chamber, Chamber Executive Director Phil Carlisle told families they are not alone in these times of grief and trial. Benjamin Hartnell, president of the Loma Linda Crossroads Rotary, presented the Top Doctor awards to Dr. Richard Chinnock, Dr. John Mace, and Dr. Paul Reiman. Mike Stong, president of the Riverside Uptown Kiwanis Club, also presented the Kiwanis Club's third annual Unforgettable Kiwanis Friend of Children Award to Ben Orozco. Walk Marshals Margie Miller, Publisher of the City News Group, and Eileen Hards, Marketing Coordinator at the University of Redlands, led the memorial walk and the procession to the church as Boy Scout Troop #90 carried the event banners with Devonne Rowlen and Jenny Wright carrying the mortuary banner. Once at the church, candles were lit and Julio Tabuenca, the interim senior pastor of Campus Hill Church, welcomed the families and supporters of the event. Tabuenca emphasized that faith is important when dealing with a loss. "It's not about reminiscing on their death but the memories you created with them that you can cherish forever," said Gabriela Evans, a supporter of the event. Ana Neal was one of the many mothers present and participating at this years Lights for Little Lives Memorial Walk. Along with the rest of her family, Neal was present in loving memory of her son, Patrick Neal Jr. "This was my first time at this event and it was wonderful," Neal said. 'It was truly moving and it felt nice knowing we are not alone. Musical performances abounded at the event, with duo Kaija and Kelsie Cauldren singing "Unforgettable" and "For Good," while Brian Bautista, Lori Corona and D.J. Smith performed "It Is Well With My Soul" and "Lean On Me," with Smith on piano. As the musical performance ended with "Lean On Me," The Unforgettables Foundation founder, Chaplain Tim Evans, invited everyone present to "lean on them." "Lean on us. That's what this is all about; for all of you to lean on each other and help each other because you are all part of one big family... the Unforgettable family," Evans said. After the reading of names of children that passed away, the emotional highlight of the event began as each family stepped forward, lit a candle, and said aloud the name of the child they'd lost. The event came to an end with closing blessings given by Father Leonard DePasquale of St. Bernardine Catholic Church, Rabbi Suzanne Singer of Temple Beth El in Riverside, Pastor Julio Tabuenca of Campus Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church, and Associate Pastor Frank Pompa of The Branch Church. [END] 14th annual Lights for Little Lives Memorial Walk Date: Tuesday, December 31, 2013 Time: 3:30 p.m. Google Map Event Location: Ronald McDonald House Address: 11365 Anderson St. Loma Linda CA 92354 Description: Free, open to public. Remember all children who have lost their lives. Hosted by The Unforgettables Foundation. CONTACT INFO Phone: TUF 909-335-1600 PR We Published: The Unforgettables Foundation Will Host 14th Annual Lights for Little Lives Memorial Walk By:Linda Stratton The 14th annual Lights for Little Lives Memorial Walk will again take place on Dec. 31 in Loma Linda. The Unforgettables Foundation has presented this beloved memorial walk, candle lighting, child naming and award ceremony on New Year’s Eve for over a decade. Hundreds reflect and celebrate the lives and journeys of children who have passed but will forever be remembered in the hearts of those who knew them. “The Light for Little Lives Memorial Walk brings together families, friends and the community to remember the many children who have died too soon,” said Tim Evans, Founder of The Unforgettables Foundation. “The event is another way the organization is able to further touch the lives of family members and loved ones in a caring way.” This moving event is free and open to the public as a way of remembering all children who have lost their lives. The Foundation also recognizes those who work to heal, rescue and save children. Three physicians (Richard Chinnock, M..D, John Mace, M.D. and Paul Reiman, M.D.) will receive the Top Doctor Pediatric award for their compassionate care toward area children. The group assembles in the parking lot of the Ronald McDonald House, 11365 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, across the street from Loma Linda Children's Hospital, at 3:30 pm. A mother who lost a child in 2013 will release a dove at sunset, joined by a dozen doves in a memorial flight. Many say the dove flight, symbolic of a heavenly journey, is a key highlight of the celebratory awareness event. After the ceremony, a three block walk will commence and be led by Boy Scouts, children, physicians, firemen, funeral professionals, foundation volunteers and faith community leaders. The walk continues down Anderson Street and ends at the Campus Hill Church where there will be a 30 minute ceremony of candle lighting and name reading. Over 25 families attend this event annually to recognize a child who has passed. The Lights for Little Lives Memorial Walk was the very first public happening created by The Unforgettables Foundation in year one of serving families across the region. To date, over 4,000 cases have been served with financial and burial support/information from over 80 cities in Southern California. The Orange Belt Funeral Directors Association, various clergy associations and medical associations in the region collaborate with the heartwarming celebration of children, in life and in death. BRISSA'S ORIGINAL ARTICLE: "The fact that there are always so many of you present at this event no matter the weather-even when it has been drizzling in past years-really comes to show the support we have for each other, " expressed Stan Morrison, the master if ceremonies, at the induction of the 14th annual Lights for Little Lives Memorial on Tuesday, December 31. That New Year's Eve Tuesday unity conquered a hopeful group of families gathered together at the Ronald McDonald House in Loma Linda. Hosted by The Unforgettables Foundation for over a decade now, the Little Lives Memorial walk is presented as a mean to reflect on the lives of the beloved children that have passed away and keep their presence thriving in the hearts of of those people whose lives they touched. Gary Christmas, board chairman, welcomed a crowd of people on behalf of The Unforgettables Foundation and emphasized the importance of keeping the memories of those lost little ones vibrant and to continuously support each other in times of despair and trial, including learning to cope with the loss of a loved one. With an invocation given by Reverend Ray Turner, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Christmas, and the National Anthem sung by Matt Rubic, the ceremony was officially ready to begin as doves were prepared for the symbolic traditional dove release in memory of "the children gone too soon." Three mothers who recently lost children in the year of 2013 were given the opportunity to individually release a dove and lead the release of a dozen doves. As the doves flew off into the valley, event leaders explained that just as the doves flew off in freedom to enjoy the valley in happiness, so did the lost children "fly off to a better place where there is [happiness]." The City of Loma Linda and the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce established their support and deepest condolences for the grieving families that experienced the terrible loss of a little one at the Lights for Little Lives Memorial event. Representing the city and the chamber, Phil Carlisle expressed a warm welcome and sincerely evinced to the families that they are not alone. Succeeding emotional words, Benjamin Hartnell, President of the LL Crossroads Rotary (on behalf of the LL Crossroads Rotary & The Unforgettables Foundation), presented the Top Doctor awards to: Dr. Richard Chinnock, Dr. John Mace, and Dr. Paul Reiman. Mike Stong, President of the Riverside Uptown Kiwanis Club, also presented the Kiwanis Club's 3rd annual Unforgettable Kiwanis Friend of Children Award to Ben Orozco. Walk Marshalls Margie Miller and Eileen Hards led the memorial walk and the procession to the church as Boy Scout Troop #90 carried the event banners with Devonne Rowlen and Jenny Wright carrying the mortuary banner. Once at the church, candles were lit and Julio Tabuenca, the interim senior pastor of Campus Hill Church, welcomed the families and supporters of the event. Tabuenca emphasized that faith is important when dealing with a loss. As a way to express support and encourage celebrating the lives those deceased children lived there were musical performances. Kaija and Kelsie Cauldren as a duo sang "Unforgettable" and "For Good" while Brian Bautista, Lori Corona and D.J. Smith performed "It Is Well With My Soul" and "Lean On Me" with Smith on piano. "It's not about reminiscing on their death but the memories you created with them that you can cherish forever," said Gabriela Evans, a supporter of the event. As the musical performance ended with "Lean On Me", chaplain and founder of The Unforgettables Foundation, Tim Evans, invited everyone present to "lean on them." "Lean on us. That's what this is all about; for all of you to lean on each other and help each other, because you are all part of one big family... the unforgettable family," Evans expressed to the families. After the reading of names of children that passed away, the emotional highlight of the event Lights for Little Lives Memorial arrived. Each family had the opportunity to go forward, light a candle and say the name of their child/children. The event closed with closing blessings given by Father Leonard DePasquale, Rabbi Suzanne Singer, Pastor Julio Tabuenca, Pastor Randall Skoretz, and Associate Pastor Frank Pompa of The Branch Church. Ana Neal was one of the many mothers present and participating at this years Lights for Little Lives Memorial Walk. Along with the rest of her family, Ana Neal was present in loving memory of her son Patrick Neal Jr. "This was my first time at this event and it was wonderful. It was truly moving and it felt nice knowing we are not alone," Neal said.