ALTAMONT — The annual Angel of Hope Candlelight Vigil will be held on Friday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. in the village of Altamont park on Main Street adjoining the Key Bank property, where the Angel of Hope statue stands.

The vigil is a public gathering for anyone who has lost a child.

The history of the Angel of Hope Statue can be found on the Richard Paul Evans website. He is the author of The Christmas Box book. He invites people to place a white flower at the base of the angel as a memorial.

There are approximately 85 statues throughout the country and vigils will all be held on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. In case of freezing rain or snow, the ceremony will be rescheduled.

The Angel of Hope Statue in Altamont was originated by fund-raisers and donations from various businesses after a fatal car crash. Teachers, friends, and families of Melissa E. Herzog and Korey Efaw, who were killed in a car accident 13 years ago, joined together to bring the Angel of Hope Statue to Altamont.