16 Dec 09 Homeless Memorial Service
The Homeless Services Network of Central Florida held a candlelight memorial on Tuesday, December 15, 2009, in the chapel at First Presbyterian Church in Orlando to commemorate the lives of 29 homeless people who died in Central Florida during the past year. Orange County Commissioner Linda Stewart, Orlando City Commissioner Robert Stuart, and Senior Pastor David Swanson of First Presbyterian Church were guest speakers.
This ceremony is held annually by the Homeless Services Network on or around to December 21st, the first day of winter and the longest night of the year, to recognize and pay tribute to the homeless people who have died on our streets or in our shelters from illness or conditions directly related to their homelessness. In many cases this service is the only commemoration of the life and passing of these individuals.
Advocates, friends, community leaders and service providers hope this event brings attention to the need for more resources for rent and utility assistance to prevent homelessness and the development of drop-in centers and additional shelter beds for the growing number of homeless in Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties.
More than 125 cities across the nation sponsor similar events including vigils, graveside ceremonies, plays, marches and special religious services to commemorate National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, which is organized by the National Coalition for the Homeless. This was the eighth annual vigil to be held in Orlando.
Those we honored:
| Tony Billingsley | Joe Morgan |
| Joel Boner | Robert Doyle Nail |
| Ricky Burdette | Bruce Nutter |
| William Carr | Ricky Lee Price |
| Wallace Chance | Brenda Kay Revel |
| John “Jack” Clements | Juan Izet Sarat |
| McArthur Davis | Raymond Setti |
| Michael Downs | Charles Shafer |
| William Gabbert | Roger Stickland |
| Robert Godfroy | Thomas Strickland |
| Rita Guinn | James Teftller |
| John Helsabeck | J.R. Torres |
| Paul Jenkins | Steve van Gorder |
| Ellis Johnson | Luther Walker |
| Benjamin Lavin | Wendell Wright |
| Ora James Light | Michelle (no last name; client of Calvary Assembly) |
| Nestor Lopez |
|
Brian Nichols, Pastor, First Vagabonds Church
