Photo by Rosie Palfy
HOMELESS CANDLELIGHT VIGIL MARKS THE PASSING OF 47 IN 2009
The 23rd Annual Homeless Memorial Day took place on December 21, 2009 at St. Malachi Hall. As authorized by recent state legislation, Ohio now recognizes the 21st of December as a day to remember the homeless. The 2009 vigil, the first with official state recognition, was a memorial to those who passed away this last year after having spent some time in their lives homeless.
The candlelight vigil joined other cities throughout the United States, including every major city in Ohio, in remembering the plight of the homeless on this winter’s solstice, the longest night of the year. Ohio State Representative Michael Skindell offered a reflection to the crowd of at least 175. The multi-denominational memorial service that followed was led by preachers Rabbi Joshua Caruso, Reverend Kelly Burd, and Minister Larry Davis. This year’s gathering, in light of the national health care debate, called attention to the health care needs of homeless people.
The following forty-seven names were read as a list of those who we wish to remember:
Anonymous
Andrew Bankey
James Bennett
John Bozich
Orlando Burns
Lawrence Byrd
Tonia Carmichael
Brian Chalmers
Joe Clark
Nancy Cobbs
Tishana Culver
Gary Daly aka Battlecat
Twyla Dean
Crystal Dozier
Telacia Fortson
Linda Gozelinchick
Alvah Grays
Leslie Green
Nate Hairston
Kenny Hayes
Doug Haynes
Aaron Holland
Amelda Hunter
Dina Jackson
Lisa Jockel
Timothy Johnson
Lisa Johnston
Ken Klingbiel
Leshanda Long
Willie Maddox
Michelle Mason
Jack Mulhall
Christopher Perkins
Lemmet Pinkard, Jr.
Manuel Rivera
Dustin Rose
Dean Smith
Farooh Smith
Kim Yvette Smith
Mary Spriggs
George Sterling
Diane Synkowitz
Leonard Thornton
Raymond Vivier
Janice Webb
Nathaniel Wheeler
Chuck Whitlock
If you’d like more information about the event or would like to add to the list call the Coalition at 216/432-0540.
Brian Davis
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