2009 Annual Worldwide Candle Lighting Services - Florida

Communities across the globe will be joining in The Compassionate Friends 13th Worldwide Candle Lighting on December 13, 2009.

You are invited to provide us information about your Worldwide Candle Lighting event for posting so people in your area will know of your service and be able to attend. Please complete the Worldwide Candle Lighting Information Form.  Note: we reserve the right to edit all submissions.

IMPORTANT: If you attempt to submit your candle lighting service and we do not contact you or your service is not listed within 24 hours, please contact Joan@compassionatefriends.org.

Click on your state below to view Worldwide Candle Lighting events in your area. 

 Services are being added daily! Stop back often!!

 

 
Countries Outside of the United States:    Australia  Austria  Bahamas  Bahrain  Canada  England  France  Germany  Mexico  Philippines  Poland  Puerto Rico  South Africa  Spain  Switzerland
                                                                     

Boca Raton – Boca Raton Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 Arrive by 5:30 PM
Location: Wyndham Hotel Ballroom, 1950 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, FL
Highlights: Parent, sibling, and grandparent speakers. Poetry readings, music, and slide show of children who have passed.
Bring: May bring a 5x7 (or smaller) framed photo or small remembrance to place on memory table to be returned that evening. Reservations are requested for seating.
Special Events (before): Individual candles will be provided for each guest to light during the evening; centerpieces available in memory of your child at cost.
Special Events (after): Dessert, coffee, and lemonade will be available immediately following candle lighting ceremony. 
Contact: Dottie Kidd
Telephone: 954-946-3196 Email: dottiekidd@bellsouth.net  

Cape Coral – Branch of Life Christian Fellowship

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30-7:30 PM
Location: Branch of Life Christian Fellowship, 1505 SE 40th St (corner Del Prado Blvd & SE 40th St), Cape Coral, FL 
Highlights: Special music, readings, sharing, and reading of children's names.
Bring: Pictures, remembrances.
Special Events (after): Sharing and refreshments to follow.  
Contact: Rev. Tony Cubello
Telephone: 239-464-4803 Email: Branchoflife@juno.com  

Cape Coral – Lee County Florida Chapter of Bereaved Parents of the USA

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:00-9:00 PM
Location: Cape Coral Yacht Club Pavilion, 5819 Driftwood Parkway, Cape Coral, FL
Highlights: Readings, poems, and special music.
Bring: We will have a special table set up for you to bring a framed picture or small remembrance of your child to display. We ask if you would please bring a small quantity dessert to pass.
Special Events (before): Arrive between 5:30 and 6:00 PM to secure parking, put out snacks, photos or remembrances, and allow the service to start promptly.
Special Events (after): Socializing, meet Chapter Leader, and Steering Committee members, have dessert and refreshments.
Additional: Doors open at 5:30 PM program begins promptly at 6:40 PM. Arrive early to secure parking and to shop in our Angel Boutique.
Contact: Helene Lagudi
Telephone: 239-945-3173 or 239-633-2158 Email: MysonFrankie@aol.com 

Davie – St. Bonaventure Church

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30 PM
Location: St. Bonaventure Church, 1301 SW 136th Ave, Davie, FL
Highlights: Music, reading of children's names, and lighting of candles.
Bring: Please bring a candle to light in remembrance of your loved one. Extra candles will be available if needed.
Contact: Sue McCrea
Telephone: 954-476-5204 Email: redirector@stbonaventurechurch.com

Jacksonville – Orange Park-Jacksonville Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:15 PM
Location: Southside United Methodist Church, 3120 Hendricks Ave, Jacksonville, FL
Highlights: We will be reading poetry from a program that is provided. We will light the candles and have them on the alter by 7 pm. At the end of the program, there will be a DVD slide show with all of our children's pictures shown.
Bring: A covered dish or finger food to share after the presentation. If you have not sent your child's picture to be included in the DVD, you can do so by emailing it to me at 04wildcat@comcast.net and I will include it in the DVD. I can take submissions up to December 12 to be included. After that, you make bring a picture or remembrance of your loved one and we will place it on the memory table. 
Special Events (after): Dinner after the candle lighting service is over in the Family life building. 
Contact: Sharon Thibault
Telephone: 904-743-7538 Email: 04wildcat@comcast.net

Jensen Beach – Treasure Coast Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30 PM
Location: Indian Riverside Memorial Park, 1717 NE Indian River Dr, Jensen Beach, FL
Highlights: Poems, music, and reading of every child's name while lighting the candles.
Bring: Pictures for the memory board or a remembrance.
Special Events (after): Fellowship with snacks. 
Contact: Donna Mihok  
Telephone: 772-878-2881 Email: donnamihok@comcast.net

Keystone Heights – Lake Area Keystone Heights Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:00 PM
Location: Keystone United Methodist Church, 4004 State Rd 21, Keystone Heights, FL
Highlights: Special music, poems, a video of our children, and reading of their names.
Bring: Pictures or remembrances that they would like to share.
Special Events (before): Program starts at 6:00 PM. Candle lighting is at 7:00 PM.
Special Events (after): Refreshments (finger food) and social time. 
Contact: Alice Watts, Chapter Leader
Telephone: 352-475-3162 Email: alicewatts1@windstream.net 

Lynn Haven – Mothers of Angels

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30 PM
Location: Sharon Sheffield Park, Hwy 77, Lynn Haven, FL (next to the Lynn Haven Library)
Highlights: Starts at 6:30 PM with special music, reading of poems, reading of children's names, and candles lit at 7:00 PM.
Bring: Candles will be furnished. Bring pictures or remembrances.
Special Events (before): Reading of poems and special music.
Special Events (after): Writing messages on balloons and letting them go. 
Contact: Jo Ann Creamer
Telephone: 850-265-4128 Email: blondie1153@comcast.net

Macclenny – The Petey & Seab Benevolent Relief Fund, Inc & Florida States Attorney General Office

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30 PM
Location: Heritage Park, 127 S Lowder St, Macclenny, FL (beside the rail road tracks just off of Hwy 90)
Highlights: Poems will be read along with music. At 7:00 PM lighting of our candles and a slide show with a reading of our children's names.
Bring: We will have a special area set up for anyone who would like to bring photos or special remembrances of their child.
Special Events (after): Coffee with refreshments will be served.
Additional: For your child's photo to be included in the slide show/reading of the children's names please submit it by 11/29/09 by email to: psbrf@yahoo.com or mail to: Cheryl Johns, 5647 Cherry Tree Ave, Macclenny, FL 32063. Be sure to include their full name, date of birth and date of death. 
Contact: Cheryl Johns
Telephone: 904-338-5435 Email: psbrf@yahoo.com

Melbourne – Space Coast Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:15 PM
Location: The Springs of Suntree Clubhouse, 8300 Holiday Springs Rd, Melbourne, FL (off Viera Blvd, near US Hwy 1)
Highlights: Finger foods available starting at 5:30 PM. Welcome and readings starting at 6:15 PM. Readings and recorded music during lighting of candles at 7:00 PM.
Bring: Finger foods or a dessert to share with the group and photos/remembrances of your children.
Special Events (before): Arrive between 5:30 and 6:00 PM to secure seating, put out snacks, photos or remembrances, and allow the service to start promptly.
Special Events (after): Socializing, meet Chapter Leader and Steering Committee members, have dessert and refreshments. 
Contact: Jocelyn Fiorello
Telephone: 321-610-7875 Email: meetings@griefsupportdeathofchild.org 

Miami – Concerned Citizens Committee, Inc. in conjunction with the Worldwide Candle Lighting

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30-8:00 PM
Location: Miami, Fl, in the area known as Liberty City, we will be at Peace Park (named after Sharvadavia Jenkins, the 9 year old girl killed by stray bullet on 06'), at the corner of N.W. 62nd. St and 12 Ave, a very small mini park.
Highlights: Reading of children's names.
Bring: Bring pictures, own refreshments, and can share if you want too, any remembrances of the child.
Special Events (before): Shared time before the candle lighting, in that each person can say something about their child. Refreshments served afterwards.
Special Events (after): Snacks afterwards, possible follow-up for future meeting if wanted.
Additional: This is our first time hosting this event.
Contact: Marva Lightbourne, R.N.
Telephone: 305-758-2292 Email: randydavisinc@aol.com

Miami – Miami Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:00 PM
Location: Miami Dade County Fair & Expo Center (Blue Ribbon Room) Ray Goode Building, 10901 Coral Way, Miami, FL 
Highlights: Special readings and music. Karen Strolis Lewe, featured vocalist. Lighting of candles.
Bring: Picture or remembrance of loved one for the memorial table.
Special Events (before): Program starts at 6:00 PM. Meet and greet. 
Special Events (after): Reception and slide show. Sharing with other bereaved families.
Contact: Cindy Baum and Shelly Ellis
Telephone: 305-460-5762 Cindy Baum Email: tcfmiami@bellsouth.net 

Miami Beach – Grupo de apoyo para padres que han perdido hijos

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 7:00 PM
Location: 3700 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL
Highlights: el silencio es mejor que mil palabras.... 
Special Events (after): Snacks 
Additional: Service will be in Spanish.
Contact: Maria Ruiz
Telephone: 786-488-3112 Email: maria_ruiz72@hotmail.com

Naples – Southwest Florida Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 5:00 PM
Location: St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 625 111th Ave N, Naples, FL (we meet behind the church in the courtyard)
Highlights: This is our 22nd annual candle lighting event in Naples. As always we meet early and share a pot luck dinner. We will have personalized luminaries light your way into the courtyard. We will have personalized ornaments for each child hanging on an elegant Christmas tree flanked by Laura, our harpist, a beautiful cake, punch, and all the festivities that many of you have come to look forward to. We have a beautiful program planned for parents and siblings. As each child's name is read a personalized candle is lit and you will be provided a marker to place a message on a balloon to release. We have a few extraordinary readers and a special guest soloist. During our pot luck dinner and socializing we will view a DVD of all our children's pictures and create and post messages to them on The Compassionate Friends website.
Bring: Pot luck dish to share (many bring their child's favorite dish), pictures or remembrances for the picture table, and if you would like a wrapped and tagged child's gift that will be donated to the children.
Special Events (before): 5:00 PM pot luck, 6:45 PM we gather for the ceremony, 7:00 PM ceremony begins.
Additional: Please email a picture of your child so he/she/them get included in our Power Point presentation.  
Contact: Anne Rinaldi-Nonamaker
Telephone: 239-287-5968 Email: IAgree2b@comcast.net

New Port Richey – Pasco County Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:15 PM
Location: Colonial Hills Civic Center, 3852 Prime Place, New Port Richey, FL
Highlights: Readings, poems, DVD of children submitted by members and community, music, and individual candles.
Special Events (before): Light snacks, sharing, and music.
Special Events (after): Sharing and light snacks.
Additional: Please send a picture of your child (include child's name and birth/death dates) if you would like it included in the DVD by Nov. 20th to: Diane Smallze, 3055 Primrose Dr, Holiday, FL 34691 or to her email address: DianeS40ss@msn.com.     
Contact: Jean Limongello 
Telephone: 727-376-3294 Email: Limongelloj@aol.com

Niceville – Heritage Gardens Cemetery

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:00 PM
Location: Heritage Gardens Cemetery, 2201 N. Partin Dr (Hwy 285), Niceville, FL
Highlights: Speakers, poems, etc.
Bring: Pictures, remembrances, poems, etc.
Special Events (after): Refreshments. 
Contact: Patti Harper
Telephone: 850-729-1955 Email: hgcemetery@embarqmail.com

Ocala – Ocala Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 7:00 PM
Location: Blessed Trinity Catholic Church (side Chapel), 5 SE 17th St, Ocala, FL
Highlights: Our program includes a speaker. Members do readings, poems, and we have special music throughout the ceremony. Parents say their child's name as they light their candle. Program brochure provided with readings, poems, music, and children's names.
Bring: If desired, bring pictures, remembrances, and any finger foods you would like to provide at our meeting place in the Adult Day Care building at 6:45 PM.
Special Events (after): Refreshments & sharing time.
Additional: If emailing, please put in subject line.
Contact: Norellen Pickell
Telephone: 352-369-6665 Email: bnonobed@aol.com 

Okeechobee – Jupiter Suicide Grief Support Group

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 5:00-7:00 PM
Location: Dunklin Memorial Camp, 3342 SW Hosannah Lane (off SR 714, Western Martin County), Okeechobee, FL
Highlights: Time of sharing stories and poems, music, reading of names, and candle lighting.
Bring: Pictures or remembrance. Please RSVP so that we know how many will be attending (how much cake and coffee).
Special Events (before): Coffee and cake provided. Sharing time 6:00-7:00 PM. 
Contact: Dean Evans or Kathy Legris
Telephone: 561-842-0156 Email: Klegris@hotmail.com or Devanspa@gmail.com

Okeechobee – Okeechobee Candle Lighting Memorial

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:45-8:00 PM
Location: Park #3 between Park Street and Hwy 70 (across from Village Square Restaurant), Okeechobee, FL
Highlights: 1st event: Lighting candles and reading children's names.
Bring: Picture or remembrance and candle to light.
Special Events (before): Sharing time 6:45 PM. 
Contact: Jeanette Miller
Telephone: 863-634-2307 Email: jmiller@pritchardsinc.com  

Pace- – First United Methodist Church of Pace

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 7:00 PM
Location: First United Methodist Church of Pace, 4540 Chumuckla Highway, Pace, FL
Highlights: DVD of our children.
Bring: If you would like to include your child's picture, please RSVP by Nov. 30th to 850-626-7188.
Special Events (after): We will have a special time of sharing and refreshments after the candle lighting. 
Contact: Margarita Vazquez
Telephone: 850-626-7188 Email: wingsoflizb@bellsouth.net

Plantation – Broward County/Greater Ft. Lauderdale Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30 PM 
Location: Plantation Community Center, Plantation, FL 
Highlights: Music and readings.
Bring: Pictures or remembrances of their child/children.
Special Events (before): 6:30 PM...time for sharing with other bereaved parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends.
Special Events (after): Sharing and snacks. 
Contact: Ed and Sharon Morrissey, Chapter Leaders
Email: grfmaven@comcast.net

Royal Palm Beach – Western Palm Beach County Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 7:00 PM
Location: Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery-Chapel, 10941 Southern Blvd, Royal Palm Beach, FL
Highlights: Speakers, readings, music (harp), and reading of our children's names. 
Bring: Pictures or remembrance of your child (children).
Special Events (before): 6:30 PM 
Contact: Darlene Fernandez
Telephone: 561-346-2274 Email: sweetangelemf@aol.com

Sarasota – Sarasota Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30 PM
Location: Central Church of Christ, 6221 Proctor Rd, Sarasota, FL
Highlights: Live music, speakers, readings, and reading of children's names.
Bring: Pictures or remembrances.
Special Events (before): Meet and greet.
Special Events (after): Desserts, pastries, eggnog, and coffee.
Additional: Please be prompt. Candles will be lit at 7:00 PM SHARP!! 
Contact: Vivian Kehrer
Telephone: 941-365-4230 Email: celebrationsisters@comcast.net

Sebastian – Indian River Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 7:00 PM
Location: The United Church of Sebastian, 1251 Sebastian Blvd. (CR 512), Sebastian, FL
Highlights: Speakers reading poems and short stories. Slide show of our children with music. Special music, live and recorded.
Special Events (after): A refreshment and fellowship time will follow the service. 
Contact: Gina Wattles
Telephone: 772-388-5072 Email: hwkwnd@aol.com

Sun City Center – Sun City Center Coalition for Mental Health and Aging

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 4:00 PM
Location: Sun City Center Atrium Building (Heritage Room), 951 North Course Lane, Sun City Center, FL
Highlights: Speakers, readings, reading of children's names, and candle lighting.
Bring: Photos or remembrance for memory table. You may bring a special reading to share.
Special Events (after): Refreshments and sharing time. 
Contact: Coralease Ruff
Telephone: 813-634-1654 Email: cora_ruff@verizon.net

Tallahassee – Tallahassee Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:45 PM
Location: Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd, Tallahassee, FL
Highlights: Poetry readings, music, and slide show of our children. Welcome and program starts at 6:45 PM. Candle lighting is at 7:00 PM. Individual candles will be provided for each guest to light during the evening.
Bring: If attending the pot luck dinner, bring a dish to share (many bring their child's favorite dish). Bring a 5 x 7 (or smaller) framed photo or small remembrance to place on the memory table.
Special Events (before): Doors open at 4:30 PM. Pot luck dinner begins at 5:00 PM. At 6:45 PM we gather for the ceremony. 
Special Events (after): Social time, refreshments, dessert, coffee, and soda will be available immediately following candle lighting ceremony.
Additional: Photos for the slide show can be sent to Becky Barch via email at tcfot@yahoo.com or mailed to The Compassionate Friends c/o St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 2198 N Meridian Rd, Tallahassee, FL.
Contact: Becky Barch
Telephone: 850-509-3303 Email: tcfot@yahoo.com

Venice – Venice Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 7:00 PM
Location: Epiphany Cathedral Campus (room 107), 350 Tarpon Ave, Venice, FL
Highlights: Special music, reading of children’s names, and candle lighting.
Bring: Pictures or remembrance and refreshments.
Special Events (after): Sharing time and snacks. 
Contact: Larry Gosselin 
Email: NIKYB725@aol.com 

The Villages – Central Florida Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 7:00 PM
Location: The Church on the Square Spanish Springs, 1051 Main St, The Villages, FL
Highlights: Solemn ceremony of member's reading of poems, appropriate beautiful music, and individual lighting of candles for children.
Bring: Families, siblings, relatives, and friends of the lost of a child. The candle light service is open to the public.
Special Events (before): Programs for the service, along with TCF brochures. Candles and holders provided at the entrance of church by members.
Special Events (after): Special memory bracelets will be available after the service. 
Contact: Sandy Turner
Telephone: 352-259-3778 Email: tursndyt@aol.com or nanleod61@comcast.net