Eagles’ Haven Hosts Commemoration for Victims of Marjory Stoneman Douglas Shooting

by Agrippina Fadel February 13, 2023

by Agrippina Fadel February 13, 2023 25 views

By Agrippina Fadel

Community Wellness Center, Eagles’ Haven, is holding a commemoration event for the victims of the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Held on Tuesday, February 14, from 12 to 4 p.m., the Spreading the Love event at the Eagles’ Haven is followed by evening activities at Pine Trails Park and a healing community Drumming Circle.

Rebecca Jarquin, Eagles’ Haven Program Director, said the commemoration would begin with the national anthem and presenting of the colors by Marjory Stoneman Douglas’ Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, followed by a candle lighting ceremony and a 17-dove release.

“We will honor each of the 17 victims throughout the day with a special activity that will highlight the unique and beautiful life that was in each of them. We will integrate sound healing, movement, meditation, and therapeutic art along with therapy ponies and dogs to comfort the community,” she added.

Jarquin said 2023 marks the fifth anniversary of the shooting, and the center hosts the commemoration event to honor the memory of every victim that was taken from their family, friends, and the community.

“We have a responsibility to help the survivors to heal and to bring the community together in a supportive setting. People need connection and an opportunity to come together and spread our love,” Jarquin added.

She said that as mass violence continues to plague the nation, wellness centers like Eagles’ Haven are essential. “We are open seven days a week for anyone needing support,” she added.

Eagles’ Haven Wellness Center is located at 5655 Coral Ridge Drive, Coral Springs. Created in March 2019, the center offers free support groups and wellness classes to help the Parkland/Coral Springs community recover from the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.

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Agrippina Fadel

Agrippina Fadel grew up in Siberia and received her master's in journalism from Tyumen State University. Agrippina is also a writer and editor at Draftsy.net. She has been a US resident for over ten years and speaks English and Russian.