South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
Communities come together to commemorate MSD school shooting
By Mary Lou Cruz
Events and activities this year have been reduced to adhere to COVID-19 protocols. Following is a list of what’s planned, in-person and virtual, for the third anniversary honoring the 17 victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas mass shooting. Also listed are continuing support activities for the survivors and those affected by the tragedy.
Moment of Silence at 10:17 a.m. Feb. 14. City of Fort Lauderdale to honor MSD victims. Memorial ceremony begins at 10 a.m. through 10:42 a.m. Esplanade Park, 400 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale. Community is invited to share messages of love, unity, and hope on a memorial wall and release feelings of pain and loss by placing personal letters into a fire pit. Those unable to attend may email messages for the fire pit to MSDStrongFTL@ fortlauderdale.gov. Social distancing and facial coverings required.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 14. The
Wellness Center will offer a safe space with a full day of programming. Activities include meditation, rock painting, snacks, art therapy, music therapy, bracelet making and a drum circle, among others. Eagles’ Haven, 5655 Coral Ridge Drive, Coral Springs. 954-618-0350. See eagleshaven.org. Free wellness support groups available with reservation at 754-321-1590.
Virtual event: Run 4 Beigel, 5k Run/ Walk, through Feb. 14. See runsignup.com/Race/FL/Parkland/Run4Beigel
5:30 p.m. Feb. 14. Commemoration will be conducted by spiritual leaders, followed by a short video and candle lighting. Physical distancing and face masks required. Attend in-person at Pine Trails Park, 10559 Trails Ends, Parkland. Virtual attendees are invited to visit the city’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube live feeds. Also see cityofparkland.org.
City of Margate MSD Vigil, 5:30 p.m. Feb. 14. To honor the 17 lives lost, 17 lanterns will be released at 6:17 p.m., following a short speech and song. Candles will be given out to attendees. Margate Sports Complex, 1695 Banks Road, Margate, Field #1. Free parking at the Sports Complex. Visit the Facebook event page at bit. ly/3roBfP7.
City of Pembroke Pines Prayer Vigil, 6 p.m. Feb. 14. The community is invited to join the city in honoring the lives of the students and staff who lost their lives, and acknowledge the recovery and strength of the students, staff and families who survived. CDC pandemic guidelines will be followed. Charles F. Dodge City Center Plaza, 601 City Center Way, Pembroke Pines. 954-3922116. See ppines.com.
Virtual: Chris Hixon Memorial 5K Run/Walk, Feb. 20. Chris was an athletic director, coach, and campus monitor who was gunned down while running towards the shooter to try to stop him. Proceeds support the Chris Hixon Athletic Scholarship foundation. Register at bit. ly/2YVoNKn.
This is a community service project by the City of Parkland that has partnered with the Coconut Creek-based nonprofit Food For The Poor. This year, due to COVID-19, residents are asked to honor the 17 lives lost by donating online to this effort to change lives for the better. See bit. ly/2YHOT3p or visit foodforthepoor.org/msdcommunity.
Sun Sentinel staff writers Brett Shweky and Cindy Kent contributed to this report. To submit events, please email calendar@ sunsentinel.com