Prayer vigil planned to show support for those impacted by facility closings

The community is invited to be a part of a prayer vigil which is planned Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Cross of Peace on Bald Knob Mountain near Alto Pass. The event is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.

During the vigil, prayers will be said as a show of support for those in the region who are impacted by the recent closing of state-run facilities in Southern Illinois, including the Tamms Correctional Center at Tamms.

The Jan. 26 event will be similar to a vigil which was held in July 2012 in Jonesboro.

Marsha Griffin of Jonesboro coordinated last summer's vigil and is working to plan next Saturday's gathering at the Cross of Peace.

Griffin is a local school teacher. Her husband works for the Illinois Department of Corrections.

She said the Bald Knob prayer vigil will focus on several concerns:

•The impact of the closings on those who work at the state-run facilities.

•The safety of those who continue to work at the Illinois Department of Corrections.

•Safety at area schools in light of the tragedy which occurred in Connecticut.

Those who may be interested in helping with the prayer vigil can contact Griffin at 833-3324.