The Compassionate Friends of Tyler will sponsor this year’s Worldwide Candle Lighting locally in memory of all children who have died.

The Compassionate Friends is an international support organization for families who are grieving the death of a son, daughter, brother, sister or grandchild.

The organization invites all East Texans to participate in the event, which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at Crossroads Community Church, 13730 Texas Highway 155 South, in Tyler.

The theme of the candle lighting is “that their light may always shine,” according to a news release about it.

This Worldwide Candle Lighting is believed to be the largest mass candle lighting in the world, according to the international organization’s website.

At each event around the world, the candles will be lit at 7 p.m. Because of that, it is designed to create a “virtual 24-hour wave of light as it moves from time zone to time zone,” according to a news release.

Started in the U.S. in 1997 as a small online observance, the event has since grown as more people learn about it.

Local attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to benefit the host church’s food bank. Donations of new toys also are welcome and The Compassionate Friends will distribute those during the Christmas season.

Call 903-258-2547 to have your child’s picture included in the slide presentation. Visit TylerTCF.org for more information.