COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – It was a very windy but rain free setting Thursday morning in Coldwater for the 2nd annual Healing Hill of Hope Healing Field, which honors children from Branch County who have suffered from abuse and or neglect.
More than 200 people attended the Coldwater Early Bird Exchange Club event at the Naomi Davis Shelter House where 202 American Flags and Child Abuse Flags now stand in perfect formation on the hill overlooking North Michigan Avenue.
The keynote speaker Thursday was Branch County District Court Magistrate/Judge David Coyle, who called child abuse an insidious problem and said there’s no greater treasure than our children and no greater value than their safety and protection. According to Coyle, the Healing Field will become a custom, a tradition until the day comes when we can look out over the hill and not see a single flag flying in the breeze.
The flags put in place Thursday will remain on display through the end of July.
The Healing Hill project supports local child abuse prevention programs as does the Exchange Club’s 30th annual Independence Day 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run.
