Healthy Adams County and the Gettysburg Area School District joined with the Gettysburg Presbyterian Church tonight for Bring Light to the Night, a Glow Walk centered on connection, compassion, and shared hope during one of the year’s most emotionally challenging seasons.
As participants moved quietly around Lincoln Square and back to the church, glow sticks illuminated the path—small lights that together became a visible symbol of solidarity. Some walkers carried signs with positive affirmations, underscoring the event’s purpose: reminding participants that no one has to navigate grief, stress, or loneliness alone. Now in its fourth year, the walk has become a meaningful community ritual, offering reassurance that even in darker moments, collective presence can make a difference.
The program also included a brief reflection by Andrea Williams, a bereavement counselor with Grane Hospice Care, who spoke about the emotional weight the holidays can carry. She encouraged attendees to extend kindness to themselves and to remember that support can come from many sources, including counselors, faith leaders, mentors, and trusted community members.
Following her remarks, Jennifer Weigle, a social worker with the Gettysburg Area School District, introduced members of the Gettysburg High School Hope Squad. The students described their peer-to-peer suicide prevention efforts, emphasizing the power of young people supporting one another through awareness, listening, and connection.
The evening concluded inside the church, where warm refreshments and conversation created space for reflection and fellowship. More than a walk, Bring Light to the Night served as a reminder that community itself can be a source of light—one that grows stronger when people stand, walk, and care for one another together.
