BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — In a poignant display of community support, families gathered at Riverwalk Park for the annual “Light a Candle for a Loved One” event, hosted by the Be Finally Free organization.
The eighth annual “Light a Candle for a Loved One” event brought the community together for a night of community support. KBAK/KBFX
The event, aimed at raising awareness about addiction and recovery, brought together those who have experienced the struggle of addiction and those committed to helping others overcome it.
Debbie Ormonde, founder and president of Be Finally Free, shared the personal motivation behind the event.
“We’re gonna celebrate with people that are in recovery, that have been cleaned for a while, and we’re gonna help mourn with the people who’ve lost their loved ones,” she said.
Ormonde started the event after losing her niece, who was tragically killed by someone under the influence of methamphetamines.
“I wanted to be able to remember her and her life. And so that’s how this whole event started,” Ormonde explained.
The eighth annual “Light a Candle for a Loved One” event brought the community together for a night of community support. KBAK/KBFX
The evening featured pictures of individuals affected by drug addiction, creating a somber yet hopeful atmosphere of prayer, remembrance, and support.
Rico Jimenez, a participant, emphasized the importance of community involvement, saying, “When you’re a part of something like this, it helps out only yourself, but it helps out the community as well.”
Lupe Jimenez, attending for the first time, shared her personal loss.
“We have lost my nephew last year to an overdose of fentanyl, and we’re out here lighting candles for all those that have lost a family member to an overdose of some kind of substance,” she said.
Her husband, Rico Jimenez, added, “We just want to, like, do our, do our part to, uh, support our brother and sister-in-law in this time of their grief, and to help our community bring awareness.”
The event also featured local resources such as the Mission at Kern, Kern Family Health Care, Team Challenge, and Bakersfield Recovery Services, offering support to those in need.
The eighth annual “Light a Candle for a Loved One” event brought the community together for a night of community support. KBAK/KBFX
For those struggling with addiction, Be Finally Free provides resources and assistance through their website.