Lights of Hope an emotional time for Carter

Published 9:49 am Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Last year, more than 23,000 Lights of Hope bags were placed around the reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. to represent those who had either lost the
battle with cancer or have been afflicted with the disease. Vicksburg resident Pearl Carter, a cancer survivor who attended the event, said witnessing the ceremony was “indescribable.”

“As a four diagnoses cancer survivor, this ceremony is always very emotional for me,” said Carter, who has made the trek to Washington each year since 2006. “And so many of my family and friends have also had to deal with this devastating disease.”

This year’s Lights of Hope ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 10. Carter, who is also a volunteer for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, will once again be in attendance.

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In an effort to give locals an opportunity to decorate a bag that she can take with her to the Nation’s Capital, Carter will be holding a LOH decorating event from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at Porters Chapel United Methodist Church, 200 Porters Chapel Road.

“I would love to take many bags with my friends’ and families’ names on them and bags for my friends and family who want their friends and families to have a light shining in the Capitol,” she said.

The Lights of Hope decorating event will also act as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, Carter said. To honor someone with a light, the cost is $10. For those who would like to decorate
a bag, the cost is $12 if one brings their own supplies and $14 for the use of supplies available.

“You can make the bags as simple or elaborate as you wish,” Carter said adding the bags can even include a picture of the person to be honored or memorialized. However, Carter said, the picture
should be no larger than 2 inches by 2 inches.

“We hope you will have so much fun decorating your bag(s) you will want to help decorate those for others who have contributed but are unable to attend,” Carter said.

An RSVP to the Lights of Hope decorating event is suggested by emailing Carter at pwcarter55@att.net.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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