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Compassionate Friends of Southwest Georgia will be making ornaments in memory of lost loved ones this year in lieu of holding their annual candle lighting service.

Director June Faircloth said these ornaments will then be hung on the Compassionate Friends of Southwest Georgia’s Christmas Tree on the Tinsel Trail.

Compassionate Friends of Southwest Georgia is a grief support group for families who have lost children. It is open to parents, grandparents and siblings.

Faircloth said the purchase of these ornaments will go toward the grief support group. All the ornaments will be white, waterproof ornaments that have the lost loved one’s name written in gold.

People can purchase as many as they would like for grandparents or siblings, however only one ornament will go on the tree.

Faircloth knows the annual candle lighting ceremony had a great deal of meaning to many in Compassionate Friends of Southwest Georgia, so she has planned a private hanging of the ornaments on the tree.

Faircloth said she will set aside two nights to allow family members to hang their ornament, and if the family or friends cannot attend the gathering, she will hang it for them in memory.

So far, Faircloth said she has received 60 orders for ornaments, but can order more. The last day to order ornaments is October 15 and the cost is $10.

Faircloth said to purchase an ornament, email her at jfis4670@bellsouth.net or bring a check to Epic Designs by June Faircloth, located at 224 South West Street.

Faircloth is also asking for help from local businesses. She encourages businesses to think about their co-workers who may have lost a child or consider making a donation to a family who may not be able to afford an ornament, so they can partake in the activity.

She thanks everyone in advance for their support in this endeavor, and their continued support through the years.