With inspiring music from the combined choirs of Mineola, Quitman and Winnsboro schools, Wood County once again sent the message to stand against child abuse and in support of  crime victims.

The annual candlelight vigil on Tuesday, April 30 packed the pavilion at Quitman’s Jim Hogg City Park.

John Mark McMullen, the senior vice president of the community-based care division of Arrow, explained the dawning of a new era in caring for foster children.

4Kids4Families was set to take over the program on May 1 as part of a statewide legislative initiative for faith-based programs.

It will be serving the Northeast Texas region, with one of its goals to return foster care placements to the region. Now about half the children placed in foster care are having to leave the area to find homes.

Kaitlyn Shelton, a student from Hawkins, told the story of the blue ribbon - the symbol of child abuse awareness.

The U.S. Navy Sea Cadet Corps presented the colors. Sandra Endsley, president of the Wood County Child Welfare Board, welcomed the crowd.

Glenda Farrell of Holly Lake Ranch performed “Go Light Your World’ as the student singers spread through the crowd with electric candles to conclude the event.