The Salvation Army of Brownwood and a local woman held a candlelight service Wednesday night in honor of the children and faculty who perished in the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in Connecticut.

According to Salvation Army Director Donna Harris, local resident Peggy Miller contacted her and felt compelled to honor the children who lost their lives in the tragic shooting at the school on Friday, December 14th.

“She felt the need to ask for stuffed toys to give to the families of the children,” Harris said.   “After speaking together, we decided to give them in memory of the children of Sandy Hook Elementary to children in our area.”

Harris further explained that she and Miller decided rather than send the toys to the parents of the children; they would honor the lives of the Connecticut victims through a donation of the stuffed animals to local children, in daycares or schools, wherever there are children who need them.

Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28 were read aloud, “Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Then, one by one, the names of the victims were read and a bell for each rang one at a time, to honor their memories.  Twenty-six bells, represented the 26 victims at the school which included 20 children ages 6-7 and 6 adults.

“Did you hear what I heard?” asked Harris during the ceremony.  “Each of the bells had a different tone, each one unique, just like the children they represent.”

Charles Harris then prayed for the families.

Harris encouraged those present to continue praying for the families, the survivors and the shooter’s family.

“God wants us to pray for one another,” encouraged Harris.