Members of the Orange County Coalition for Crime Victims' RIghts stood in front of the new cherry tree to announce next Wednesday's candlelight vigil.
By Nancy Peckenham
The Orange County Coalition for Crime Victims’ Rights is bringing its annual candlelight vigil to the city of Newburgh next week when it will dedicate a cherry tree planted outside the pool entrance at the corner of S. Robinson Avenue and Washington Street.
On Friday, members of the coalition announced this year’s ceremony and talked about the work of the coalition to remember those whose lives are changed forever by a criminal act. Greg Gaetano, the chief investigator of the Orange County Sheriff’s office, spoke along with coalition co-founder Patricia Bodnar about their efforts to focus on the rights of crime victims. Standing beside the newly planted tree, Mayor Nicholas Valentine said it was an honor to welcome the coalition and he noted how visible the tree is at the intersection.
Among the small group that gathered was Ellis Daing, a senior at Newburgh Free Academy who heads up Students Against Violence in Youth, a group of 20 or 30 of his schoolmates who are spreading an anti-violence message to classmates.
Deacon Thomas Neppl, of Sacred Heart Church, brought the attention back to the individuals who are impacted by crime. “It’s about healing,” he said, “about emotional and psychological healing.”
Next Wednesday, April 13, the public is invited to attend the dedication of the tree at 6:30 pm, then move across the street to Sacred Heart Church for a candlelight vigil at 7 pm
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