Hotel INC. remembers lost members of unhoused community
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – HOTEL INC. held their annual remembrance ceremony for those in the unhoused community of Bowling Green and Warren County that were lost this year.
The somber ceremony represented many of the only family a few of these individuals had, adopted family members that took time out of their own lives to care for those in great need in our community.
Executive director of HOTEL INC. Rhondell Miller, who spoke a great deal during the ceremony, says the emotions as with many things like this were mixed.
“To remember each of these individuals is always a mix of emotion, just like with anyone, any of my other friends or my loved ones who pass away throughout the year. You know, it is with tears, with laughter, sometimes frustration or disappointment, not in them, but maybe different circumstances,” Miller said.
People in attendance have all been touched by people they have helped over the year, and not all were necessarily associated with HOTEL INC. but nonetheless cared for and remembered fondly the individuals whose names were called. A bell would toll and a candle lit to hold them in their hearts.
Christy Allen, the Youth Pastor at Broadway UMC, has been the reverend over the ceremony for years.
“I think it reminds us that we all have struggles in life and that as part of just being human is helping each other, realizing that we each have a part that we can do, even if it’s a small way or a large way. We don’t have to work here to be making a difference,” Allen said.
The yearly ceremony is also a time for those that take part in outreach to connect and share experiences, many laughed at stories, each individual touched by another, all part of our community.
