A crowd is led in prayer during the Suicide Awareness Remembrance Rally on Wednesday.

A crowd gathered Wednesday evening at Diamond Park in Butler for an event to remember those lost to suicide and to support those affected by it.

The Suicide Awareness Remembrance Rally began at 5 p.m. and was presented by the Butler County Suicide Coalition, which works with schools, churches, veteran groups and social services to coordinate suicide prevention efforts in the county.

The event featured several speakers who discussed how suicide affected their lives. They spoke in front of the park's fountain, which was lined with 23 pairs of shoes representing the 23 lives lost to suicide in Butler County last year.

Those interested in joining the Butler County Suicide Coalition can attend their meetings, which are held the first Wednesday of each month from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Butler County Human Services Building at 124 W. Diamond St.

A full report will appear in the Butler Eagle.