WNY vigils honor lives lost in Newtown

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A little girl from western New York is just one of many, doing their part to honor the innocent lives lost Friday morning. There were two vigils held Sunday night.

One of the vigils took place in Niagara County and the organizer was a girl who was close to the same age as most of the victims from Newtown.

Ten year old organizer Abby Wilson said, “I couldn't stand to think that all these children aren't going to wake up for Christmas Day.  And while I was at dance class I just couldn't get it off my mind and I wanted to help in just some small way.”

Abby Wilson, of Barker, was truly saddened by the Connecticut school shooting. After talking with her mother about the incident, Abby decided she wanted to do something for the victims and their families. So, what started out as just her family holding the vigil turned into a big event.

Barker resident Adrienne LaRocco said, “I'm a Sunday School teacher.  The three kids I have in my Sunday school are the same age as the kids that are the victims.  I couldn't imagine losing one of them.”

Barker resident Richard Westgate said, “Everybody's kind of lost, and has mixed emotions.  I know many have children, as I do, I just wouldn't want that to happen to your own children, and you feel the pain for the ones that did lose theirs.”

The feelings were the same as people gathered at Ebeneezer United Church of Christ. Senior Pastor, the Reverend Doctor Ralph Anderson, talked to people about how difficult it can be to deal with tragedies like the one in Newtown.

Reverend Dr. Ralph Anderson said, “Tragedy comes to all people, but especially this time of year is so poignant and powerful.  What happened in Connecticut, and our hearts just go out to them.”

Anderson spoke to children during Sunday service and suggested they rely on their faith to help them get through this.