The Santa Clarita chapter of the Compassionate Friends organization hosted a candle lighting remembrance ceremony Sunday, bringing together parents and families who lost their children.

The local program took place on Sunday night at La Mesa Junior High School, but similar ceremonies took place all over the world, according to Alice Renolds, one of the organizers for the Santa Clarita event.

“It’s a worldwide candle lighting program,” said Renolds, who lost her two sons nearly 19 years ago. “It starts in New Zealand, and it creates a wave of lights that surrounds the world.”

Nearly 100 people came out to the Santa Clarita chapter’s ceremony, which has been going on for 18 of 22 years of the international event’s history.

“It’s meant to help parents who have lost a child, grandchild or a sibling, and to remember them,” Renolds said.

The event usually takes place in December and allows families to celebrate the holidays while remembering their children, according to officials.

“It’s always an emotional night,” Renolds said. “But it’s always Christmas with our kids.”

Local singers and poets performed at the ceremony, and food and beverages were made available to those in attendance.

“We always want to remember our children and to spread the word not to forget them,” said Renolds. “I don’t want to forget them and I want to make sure no one else forgets them either.”

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