OKALOOSA ISLAND — A Fort Walton Beach woman is helping to organize a candlelight vigil Saturday in remembrance of the shooting victims at the Sandy Hook Elementary School
The vigil will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island.
Mela King said the news of the shooting hit her hard and spurred her to action. She said she wanted a way to show the families in Connecticut that they have the love and support of residents on the Emerald Coast.
King and a friend have been arranging the event and getting the word out through other organizations and the radio.
King estimates that 200 to 250 people will attend.
“I think everyone feels it’s just the right thing to do,” King said. “We can at least show the families we care.”
The lack of a nonprofit status and how soon the vigil will take place are impediments to major donations for the event, King said. Still, some local churches and businesses have donated candles or funds for candles.
“We have to stick together in times like this,” King said.
Boxes will be available for visitors to send donations to the victims’ families. Green and white ribbons — Sandy Hook’s school colors — with angels on them also will be sold, with the money going to the families.
King said she wants the vigil to emphasize the need for people to help one another.
“Even if we may be struggling, there may be someone struggling even more,” King said.
WANT TO ATTEND? The candlelight vigil will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Lauren Delgado at 850-315-4445 or ldelgado@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @LaurenDnwfdn.