The public is invited to a candlelight vigil Friday evening in Rhinelander that will remember the victims of child abuse and to remember a child who died recently here.
Tri-County Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault is hosting the vigil. Director Shellie Holmes says the agency already had planned an event for Child Abuse and Prevention Awareness Month. But after the death of 20-month old Avery Edwards in Newbold and a person facing homicide charges in the child's death, Holmes felt a larger community expression of concern was needed. Holmes says it also is in support of the child's mother who lives in Virginia.
The event is called "Save Families and Save Kids" designed for families and kids and that will still go on, but now with a candlelight vigil...
".....it gives people a chance to come together and feel a part of something bigger than themselves, to mourn the loss of a life, and in this case a very tragic, innocent life in this community. To give some words of comfort, to have some time for prayer or meditation or whatever is comfortable for people...."
Holmes says they will work with law enforcement and the judicial system to bring about justice for Avery Edwards.
The event is Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. on the green space next to Trig's in downtown Rhinelander. A link to the Tri-County website is here.
