A poster of the Murals of Love event. Photo courtesy Facebook
Cards have been crafted, and a mural created, at the La Ronge Alliance Church to send a message of support and healing in the aftermath of a suicide crisis in the region.
Some of the special deliveries are going to the families of the two Stanley Mission girls and a La Ronge girl who committed suicide since last week. All were between the ages of 12 and 14.
“That’s the only way we could think to send our love,” said Marion Lebelle.
She is one of the people behind the hastily planned event, which saw the church doors open on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.
“The intent was to send our love and caring to the people impacted by the recent youth taking their lives and to tell them we care,” she said.
The cards are not only going to families though. They’re also addressed to the schools and health facilities that are supporting the communities, and Lebelle has been involved in sorting through them and putting them in envelopes.
The church also sent a youth prayer group to Stanley Mission on Friday, who made the deliveries to Stanley Mission.
Some of the cards that have been created by children say “you are loved. We care about you and your family,” and “it’s hard to lose someone you love.”
The bundles of cards are all addressed to different groups – to the schools, health staff, and the families of those who have died.
Lebelle said the church is looking for ways to connect in the longer term.
Later on Friday will be a candlelight vigil, it’s said to be “in memory of the girls who left us too soon.”