Memory Walk returns to Central Park

Community Grief Support returns to Homewood Central Park June 18 for its third annual Memory Lights Walk.

Community Grief Support is a local nonprofit that aims to improve the quality of life for adults who are rebuilding their lives after losing a loved one.

“We are proud to be a Homewood nonprofit, so it makes sense for us to be involved in the Homewood area,” said Community Grief Support administrative director Lisa Harrison.

The Memory Lights Walk is a time for attendees to memorialize family members, friends or even pets they have lost, Harrison said. Attendees can walk around the half-mile path in Central Park at their own pace.

There will also be music, food trucks from Jim ’N Nick’s and Doodles, water and face painting and a moon jump for kids. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. A memorial service and balloon release is planned for the end of the night.

“It’s a beautiful ceremony, and you can tell how touched people are when they are thinking of their loves ones and releasing [balloons] in their honor,” Harrison said.

Last year’s walk had about 200 attendees, she said, and they hope to have about 300 people participate in this year’s walk.

The cost is $25 and covers the cost of giveaways and a commemorative T-shirt. LED balloons, which attendees can tie a message or prayer to and release at the end of the night, cost $20. All proceeds go toward funding the free grief groups and counseling provided throughout the seven-county Birmingham area by Community Grief Support. For more information, visit communitygriefsupport.org.