News Article 3
Bucks County Courier Times, Bucks County, PA on Dec. 01, 2002 
LOCAL NEWS - LANGHORNE 
Mother participates in worldwide balloon release Hundreds will be released Tuesday in all 50 states and 20 countries by parents whose children had died. 

One balloon released into the air packs a lot of meaning for Linda Hollingsworth of Langhorne. 

The balloon will be one of hundreds released Tuesday in all 50 states and 20 countries by parents whose children had died. Hollingsworth's daughter, Lisa, died in a car accident in 2000 in Bristol Township." With the holidays approaching, depression really sets in. This is something at least to look forward to in a small way," she said. 

www.balloonrelease.com, a group dedicated to grieving parents who've lost a child, organized the event. 


Cecilia Gabrielli, one of the group's coordinators, said they planned the balloon release to help parents and families through difficult times such as holidays, anniversaries and birthdays. The group's Web site describes the event as "a celebration of the lives of our children, who touched our souls so deeply." 

The balloons are biodegradable, and the group asked participants to write messages on the balloons in magic marker instead of using a paper tag or sticker, Gabrielli said. 

There are 650 families releasing balloons and butterflies around the world, some from atop Hawaii's volcano Haleakala, the group said. The families will also recite the names of each child and a Hawaiian priest will say a special blessing for them. 

Lisa Hollingsworth, 21, died when her car struck a tree in the center median on Mill Creek Road near Haines Road and flipped onto its roof, records show.