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Candlelight Vigil for Justine Swartz Abshire Marks 1st Anniversary of Her Death CULPEPER, Va. – October 23, 2007 -The family and friends of Justine Swartz Abshire are planning a Candlelight Vigil to mark the 1st anniversary of her death in an alleged hit-and-run accident. The event will take place in Taylor Park in the City of Orange, in Orange County Va. at 6:15pm on Saturday, November 3, 2007. Glow-sticks and "Justice for Justine" bracelets will be provided. Those attending will also have the opportunity to help create a Memorial Quilt. "Long before Justine was a kindergarten teacher, she was a kindergarten student," said Heidi Swartz, Justine's Mother. "Justine's fellow kindergarteners all decorated fabric squares, which were then made into a Happiness Quilt. When the Quilt was raffled off at a school event, Justine was the lucky winner. She treasured her Happiness Quilt the rest of her life." Cloth squares and permanent markers will be provided at the Vigil, and attendees will be encouraged to create their own contribution to a new Memorial Quilt for Justine. Attendees are also welcome to bring their own quilt pre-decorated quilt squares using permanent markers, appliqué, quilting or a decorative technique that is durable and cleanable. At approximately 6:45pm Justine's family and others will briefly address the crowd, with the event concluding at approximately 7:30pm. "Justine's friends, acquaintances, co-workers and anyone wishing to join in remembering and celebrating the life of our wonderful daughter is welcome," according to the Swartz family. Anyone with information that might pertain to Justine's death should call Special Agent Mike Jones at (800) 572-2260 or (540) 829-7400, or send an email to info@justineabshire.com. For more information about the Taylor Park Vigil Location, call (540) 672-5005 or visit http://www.townoforangeva.org/index.asp?NID=62 About Justine Abshire On November 3, 2006, Justine Swartz Abshire was killed in an alleged hit-and-run accident on Taylorsville Road, Barboursville, Va. She was just 27 years old. Justine spent her high school years in the Charlottesville, Va. area, completed her undergraduate studies at James Madison University and had just begun graduate work in elementary education at the University of Virginia. She was a well-loved kindergarten teacher at Emerald Hill Elementary in Culpeper, Va. A $50,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for her death. More about Justine can be found at www.justiceforjustine.com. |