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The service, which has been attended by as many as 500 people over the years, is aimed at helping families who lost loved ones cope during the holiday season, officials said.
Sandy Hunt, director of the Montgomery County Victim-Witness Division, said that given all that’s happened in the community, such as the Oregon District mass shooting on Aug. 4 and other tragedies this year, “we know it’s especially difficult this holiday season.”
“Our theme is healing our community because of all that’s happened this year,” Hunt said. “We really want to focus on helping the survivors through everything that they’ve gone through. We also want to focus on bringing peace to our community.”
There will be a presentation of ornaments to a special memorial tree and if weather permits, balloons will be launched, a news release said.
The balloons with cards with memorial or inspirational messages of love and remembrance from survivors to their loved ones. The hope is that the messages will provide an emotional and spiritual lift for the survivors.
Refreshments will be served at the end of the ceremony.
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