The Compassionate Friends is a group for families who have lost children. Sunday night, the Northwest Ohio chapter participated in the 16th Annual Worldwide Candle Lighting to honor lost loved ones. The event is believed to be the largest mass candle lighting in the world.
Candle were lit from seven to eight p.m. Maryellen Schmidt, a leader of the local chapter said, "So as one time zone blows their candles out, the next time zone is lighting them, so we have a wave of light around the world."
Schmidt helped organize the memorial. She joined the group when she lost her son and future daughter-in-law in a car accident.
"I hear things from other parents saying, people who don't understand don't want to talk about it. They don't want to listen to me talk about it. But, I need to talk about my child. So, we meet monthly so we can share our stories and any problems we might be having."
Counselor Tim Butler lead the vigil. He also knows first-hand about the pain. He lost his 12-year-old daughter to a cancer treatment ten years ago.
"Just because I knew the steps to take, it did not make them any easier." He said. "Cause the journey through grief is a deep one."
Group member Kelly Sporleder said she feels closer to her son when she can talk about him and remember.
The annual vigil is held the second Sunday of December.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:46 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:46:40 GMT
The month of May will likely end up in the top 10 list for the driest May's on record. Despite the dry month it does not look like we are headed for a repeat performance of last year's drought and extreme
The summer forecast calls for above average rainfall for most of the Great Lakes region with near average temperatures.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:54 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:54:56 GMT
Toledo police shot and killed a man with a gun early Thursday morning. Police say officers were patrolling in the 1000 block of Page Street around 12:30 when they saw a man pointing a gun at a woman.
Toledo police shot and killed a man with a gun early Thursday morning.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:20 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:20:31 GMT
If you're in Archbold and you hear the sound of 100 harps, you're not just hearing things. The 6th annual Harp Gathering is underway May 16-19th.Denise Grupp-Verbon co-founded the festival with her husband.
If you're in Archbold and you hear the sound of 100 harps, you're not just hearing things. The 6th annual Harp Gathering is underway May 16-19th.Denise Grupp-Verbon co-founded the festival with her husband.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 09:07:37 GMT
The picture has been shared over 23,000 times on Facebook. It shows a note pinned to a car. In the note, Facebook user, Jeremy Jon, explains that he took the car owners dog to the Bowling Green Police
Police say viral photo on Facebook is a hoax. Man claimed to save a dog and then posted it on the social network to impress a girl.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:32 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:32:13 GMT
Some of Rossford's oldest school buildings need major repairs. District leaders now have five potential renovation plans, but they're looking for voter input before they move forward.
Some of Rossford's oldest school buildings need major repairs. District leaders now have five potential renovation plans, but they're looking for voter input before they move forward.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:54 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:54:56 GMT
Toledo police shot and killed a man with a gun early Thursday morning. Police say officers were patrolling in the 1000 block of Page Street around 12:30 when they saw a man pointing a gun at a woman.
Toledo police shot and killed a man with a gun early Thursday morning.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:12 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:12:46 GMT
We often report stories on the Ohio State Highway Patrol's K-9 unit. The dogs help Troopers find huge quantities of illegal drugs in our region every year. But between the big hits is a lot of hard work,
Ride along as an elite group of four legged crime fighters and their handlers take drugs off Northwest Ohio roads.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:46 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:46:40 GMT
The month of May will likely end up in the top 10 list for the driest May's on record. Despite the dry month it does not look like we are headed for a repeat performance of last year's drought and extreme
The summer forecast calls for above average rainfall for most of the Great Lakes region with near average temperatures.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:20 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:20:31 GMT
If you're in Archbold and you hear the sound of 100 harps, you're not just hearing things. The 6th annual Harp Gathering is underway May 16-19th.Denise Grupp-Verbon co-founded the festival with her husband.
If you're in Archbold and you hear the sound of 100 harps, you're not just hearing things. The 6th annual Harp Gathering is underway May 16-19th.Denise Grupp-Verbon co-founded the festival with her husband.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 09:07:37 GMT
The picture has been shared over 23,000 times on Facebook. It shows a note pinned to a car. In the note, Facebook user, Jeremy Jon, explains that he took the car owners dog to the Bowling Green Police
Police say viral photo on Facebook is a hoax. Man claimed to save a dog and then posted it on the social network to impress a girl.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:32 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:32:13 GMT
Some of Rossford's oldest school buildings need major repairs. District leaders now have five potential renovation plans, but they're looking for voter input before they move forward.
Some of Rossford's oldest school buildings need major repairs. District leaders now have five potential renovation plans, but they're looking for voter input before they move forward.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:07:04 GMT
Kassy Widman is a Woodmore High School graduate. She's been living in Moore, Oklahoma for several years with her kids and husband. Monday her world was turned upside down after an EF 5 tornado nearly
A Woodmore High School graduate loses everything in the Moore, Oklahoma tornado. Her sister tells 13abc, her twin nephews were among the survivors at Plaza Towers Elementary school where 7 children died.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:18 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:18:14 GMT
Sylvania Township Police are investigating a Missing Person case. 25-year-old Jennifer Webster was last seen Monday in Sylvania Township.Jennifer is 5'1", 150 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes. She was
Sylvania Township say a 25-year-old woman was was reported missing by her mother has been found.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:13 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:13:59 GMT
A cardboard competition was held Wednesday at the Maritime Academy of Toledo! Students were challenged to build boats made with just cardboard, duct tape and glue. Four teams put their vessels to the
A cardboard competition was held Wednesday at the Maritime Academy of Toledo! Students were challenged to build boats made with just cardboard, duct tape and glue.
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