Eagle Scout to host vigil

Sean Harkins
On Saturday, a vigil will be held for those who have lost a loved one due to alcoholism or drug addiction.

The Vigil for Lost Promise will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Alpena.

The event will be directed by Ryan Proulx, a 17-year-old senior at Alpena High School. Proulx is an Eagle Scout candidate and the vigil is his Eagle project.

Proulx said he was having a hard time finding a project, and didn’t want to do a construction-type project.

“I wanted to something more above and beyond what (other Eagle candidates) were doing,” he said.

His father, Greg, an early childhood and infant mental health supervisor at Northeast Michigan Community Mental Health Authority, told him Partners in Prevention was hoping to hold a Vigil for Lost Promise, but needed a director.

“I thought about it for a while and it sounded like a really good idea,” he said.

There will be three speakers at the event, along with a discussion on addiction and loss. There also will be a ceremony to help people move on.

Rev. Owen Williams of Grace Lutheran Church, Bret Finzel of Sunrise Centre and Phil Sweet of Behavioral Health Services will speak during the vigil.

Because of the emotional nature of the event, stations will be set up with counselors following the vigil.

The event, which is hosted by Partners in Prevention, is free and refreshments will be served.

In order for the project to be accepted, Proulx will have to give a presentation to the Thunderhead District Eagle Board of Review before and after the event.

All the work and planning Proulx put into the event was recorded and will serve as a how-to manual in hopes the vigil becomes an annual event.

“My goal with this was to kind of get rid of the stigma involving drug abuse,” Proulx said.

He said he hopes the vigil can raise awareness about addiction and help those dealing with the loss of a loved one begin to move on.

“I know its an important subject,” he said.

Sean Harkins can be reached via e-mail at sharkins@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5688.