The Unforgettables Brings Light to Little Lives

ALL>> Before ringing in the New Year, hundreds of people and families from all around the Inland Empire joined together Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016 for The Unforgettables 17th Annual Memorial Walk and program Lights for Little Lives in Loma Linda, California. Lights for Little Lives is an annual celebration of the wonder of children, and the joy they bring to the lives of many. It is a time to rejoice over the birth of Inland Empire babies over the past year and to share the sorrow of families who, during that time, have experienced the painful loss of a child. The Unforgettables Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by Tim Evans in 1999. During his almost two decades of clinical ministry to children and their families, Evans assisted families with the many crises surrounding the death of a child-not the least of which are the crushing financial burdens experienced by families with limited resources. Evans, founder of The Unforgettables Foundation, is assisted by Inland Empire educators, medical professionals, social workers and morticians. Paramount among aspects of the Foundation’s mission is to assist low-income families provide a dignified, appropriate burial for their children who have died. The ceremony began at the Ronald McDonald House in Loma Linda and featured a welcoming message from Evans and Mitchell Morales, chair of The Unforgettables. “It’s very important that we always remember the little lives,” Morales said. “Sometimes it brings tears to our face, but remember with every tear there’s also a smile that’s behind that tear and a memory.” Morales thanked the families of those children who they were there to honor and gave a special thanks to Linda Stratton, Secretary of the Unforgettables, who helped organized this year's event. The ceremony continued with an invocation from Rev. Raymond Turner of Temple Missionary Baptist Church; the Pledge of Allegiance by Pat Casady and the National Anthem sung acapella by Alicia Joy. The rain put a hold on a tradition that was set for three families who lost a child, including Andrea and Andres Garcia; Rocio and Ruben Hernandez; and Michael and Jennifer Zambrano, to release a dove. Bryan Hartnell presented Top Doctor Awards to Dr. Lance Brown, MD, a pediatric emergency medicine doctor at Loma Linda University Medical Center; Dr. Douglas Deming, MD, neonatal-perinatal medicine doctor at LLUMC ; and Dr. Kay Mukergee, MD, pediatrician on RCMA’s Pediatric Admitter Team Program. The awards were presented by the Loma Linda Crossroads Rotary Club and The Unforgettables. “It is a team effort to take care of sick babies and I am very honored (to receive the award),” Deming said. The Top Doctor award was originally created in honor of physician husband and wife team Lawrence Tomasi, MD and Nuria Pages, MD, who died in a tragic auto wreck on their way to attend their son’s medical graduation. Tomasi practiced pediatric neurology at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital and Pages was a neonatologist at Riverside County Reginal Medical Center. Mike Strong, past president of the Riverside Uptown Kiwanis, presented the Unforgettable Kiwanis Friend of Children Award to Ken Campbell and was presented by the Riverside Uptown Kiwanis Club. Red Roses for Mothers/Wagon was presented by Evans, and Christine Beamer, treasurer of The Unforgettables. For the first time, The Unforgettables have roses to the mothers whose child had passed away. The roses were then placed into the wagon which was carried during a procession following the ceremony at the Ronald McDonald House. After the ceremony, many people, community leaders and families joined the procession that was led to Campus Hill Church in Loma Linda. Morales and Devonne Rowlen, immediate past chair of The Unforgettables, held the Mortuary Partners Banner; the Boy Scout Troop No. 90 held banners and Walk Marshalls included Board of Director Members Shelley Burnach and Kelly Preuss, and Chair-Elect Margie Miller. Carlos Pastrano, a young boy, led the procession and carried the wagon to the church. Pastrano's sibling had passed away and since then, they have held many car shows and have raised funds for other families who have gone through the same heartache. At the church, lighting of the candelabras was presented by Michael and Jennifer Zambrano, administrative assistant of the Unforgettables. The Unforgettables Foundation assisted Jennifer and Michael 4 years ago when their triplets, Melaina, Makayla and Maya were born 3 months premature. Sadly, Maya lived just 6 weeks. “This is very special for to all of us to have the candles lit this way for them. It’s a very powerful moment,” Michael said. Julio Tabuenca, senior pastor of Campus Hill Church, welcomed everyone in attendance and offered poinsettias to the families and those in attendance. Musical performances were given by Alicia Joy who sang “Somewhere over the Rainbow” and Gina Foglio Walden who sang “Unforgettable,” and “There You’ll Be.” Gina Walden is a singer and songwriter who is the founder of the Brand New Day Foundation. Alicia Joy is a Southern California singer, songwriter and guitarist from Chino Hills. “Our reaction to the rain shows how people have to respond to the uncertainty of life. I can’t imagine what it would be like to lose a child. But this room is full of people, who are resilient,” Evans said. “They are able to keep moving, pick themselves up and able to deal with the reality, injustice, unkindness and unfairness and shatter it and move forward.” Evans continued, “For the more than 5,000 families we have helped in our 17 years, we are honored to have a small part to play in helping these beautiful people rebound and continue to move forward. God bless all of you.” With a heavy wave of emotion throughout the church, some of The Unforgettables board members read 284 names of children who have passed away over the last 14 months. Those who read the names included Rowlen, Suzie Aceves executive committee board member, Christine Beamer, treasurer, and Debbie Jenkins. Stan Morrison, master of ceremonies and Unforgettables board member, led a family candle lighting and remembrance ceremony where families who have lost a loved one would come forward, light a candle, say the name of their child and remain standing at the front of the church. In closing, Rabbi Hillel Cohn of Congregation Emanu El, Pastor Tabuenca of Campus Hill Church, and Rev. Ray Turner of Temple Missionary Baptist Church gave closing blessings and prayers for the support of the families.