December 14th, National Childrens Memorial Day: Candle Lighting Ceremony & Proclamation

Open Arms for Empty Hearts will be holding the annual candle lighting event on December 14 at London Bridge Beach.  The event begins at 6:30pm to ensure that everyone has their candles ready to light at 7pm.  As most of you know, this is an event that is held around the world and candles are lighted at 7pm in each time zone so that candles can burn continuously across the continent, in memory of our children lost too soon.  This event is open to everyone, so please pass the word.

Also note that the Open Arms for Empty Hearts will hold their December meeting on Thursday, December 11th, the day before the Candle Lighting Ceremony.

Please note that starting in 2015, Open Arms for Empty Hearts will begin meeting on the 1st and last Thursday of each month.  Since the 1st Thursday in January is New Years Day, our first meeting of the new year will be the last Thursday of the month, January 29th. 

Please note the following Proclamation signed by the honorable Mayor, Mark S Nexsen, Mayor of Lake Havasu City, Arizona:

Office of the Mayor Lake Havasu City, Arizona Proclamation

"NATIONAL CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL DAY"

December 14, 2014

WHEREAS, approximately 80,000 infants, children, teenagers, and young adults of families living throughout the United States die each year from countless causes; and

WHEREAS, the death of an infant, child, teenager; and young adult of a family is considered to be one q/the greatest tragedies that a parent or family will ever endure during a lifetime; and

WHEREAS, Open Arms for Empty Hearts is a supportive group that provides empathy and understanding in the healing process for a family that is coping with and recovering from the loss of a loved one; and

WIIEREAS, Open Arms för Empty Hearts is open to all moms who have lost a child or in some instances, children: and

WHEREAS, Open Arms for Empty Hearts observes National Children 's Memorial Day every year along with others around the world, in every time zone at 7:00 p.m. on the Sunday of December in remembrance of loved ones that have passed on; creating a 24-hour international candle lighting ceremony that encircles the globe.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mark S Nexsen, Mayor of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, do hereby proclaim Sunday, December 14, 2014 as

"NATIONAL CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL DAY"

in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and urge all citizens both in public ceremonies and in private thoughts and prayers to honor the children we have lost, the children who have lived and died and who, even in death, continue to matter.

Introducing "Open Arms for Empty Hearts" in Lake Havasu City, AZ - Please Join Us

We are pleased to introduce "Open Arms for Empty Hearts".   As many of you know, Joyce Floyd gave the Lake Havasu City, AZ community and Mom's years of her help and support and we could never fill those shoes, so thank you Joyce for all your dedication and support.  As Joyce moves on to other endeavors, our goal is to take up the gauntlet and continue with the idea of Mom's helping Mom's. 

We are so pleased to announce that as of this Thursday, February 13th, we will begin meeting on the 2nd & 4th Thursday mornings of each month at the Lake Havasu City Aquatic Center from 10am-12N.  Our meetings will be open to all Mom's, new and old that wish to participate in celebrating their child's life and memories.  As you all know, the loss of a child is probably the most painful loss one can suffer.  Only those who have experienced that loss can offer their support and comfort to others.  This will be an open forum, members taking turns hosting the meetings...bringing their own experiences and knowledge to others..

We are also pleased to introduce our Facebook page "Open Arms for Empty Hearts" and would encourage all moms to go to the site and feel free to post any comments, suggestions or ideas - again our Facebook page is another work in progress...  

We are all looking forward to seeing all of you again and welcoming new members.  Beginning this week, registrations forms will be available so that we have up-to-date contact information and we hope you will pass the word, and reach out to moms who may have attended in the past and make sure they have our new meeting information. 

If you have any questions or suggestions you can also contact us at "openarmsforemptyhearts@gmail.com"

Charlyne, Debbie, Janet & SharonEmpty