Cars whizzed by. But that didn't stop them.
"We want no more deaths. No more fatalities on these streets in Abilene," said Kevin Gabhart.
Hundreds of locals came together to pray for those lost in car accidents. And for Kevin and Anita Gabhart, it had a deeper meaning.
"We did know Mary. And we also met, at times, the lady with the buggy. We didn't know them fully personally. The man who was run over on Sayles, he also we had met and known," explained Kevin. "There's generally around 400 homeless around here. And we've met pretty much every one of them."
They too walk along the streets of Abilene. Choosing to walk from state to state to preach to those who will listen. And now, they're hoping to help this community.
"To try to bring awareness to the drivers of this community to just kind of watch. There are people who have to walk. They don't drive," Kevin continued.
In the past 21 months, five people have been killed along South 1st street. Another nine died in car accidents in the month of January. But the turnout along South 1st showed how the community is trying to change that.
"I think a lot of people in our city want to see our city change for the better. A lot of people that want to help in all different ways," said Mark Hewitt, director and founder of Love and Care Ministries.
"Everybody's invested in this community," said Chief of Police Stan Standridge. "And they want Abilene to be the best. And I think everybody recognizes that it begins with them."
And while the road-side vigil was to remember those lost, it was also to prevent future tragedies.
"Many hearts of honesty came today," said Kevin. "And they prayed very hard for all of the people that have passed away. But moreover, for the ones not to have to happen."
"We want no more deaths. No more fatalities on these streets in Abilene," said Kevin Gabhart.
Hundreds of locals came together to pray for those lost in car accidents. And for Kevin and Anita Gabhart, it had a deeper meaning.
"We did know Mary. And we also met, at times, the lady with the buggy. We didn't know them fully personally. The man who was run over on Sayles, he also we had met and known," explained Kevin. "There's generally around 400 homeless around here. And we've met pretty much every one of them."
They too walk along the streets of Abilene. Choosing to walk from state to state to preach to those who will listen. And now, they're hoping to help this community.
"To try to bring awareness to the drivers of this community to just kind of watch. There are people who have to walk. They don't drive," Kevin continued.
In the past 21 months, five people have been killed along South 1st street. Another nine died in car accidents in the month of January. But the turnout along South 1st showed how the community is trying to change that.
"I think a lot of people in our city want to see our city change for the better. A lot of people that want to help in all different ways," said Mark Hewitt, director and founder of Love and Care Ministries.
"Everybody's invested in this community," said Chief of Police Stan Standridge. "And they want Abilene to be the best. And I think everybody recognizes that it begins with them."
And while the road-side vigil was to remember those lost, it was also to prevent future tragedies.
"Many hearts of honesty came today," said Kevin. "And they prayed very hard for all of the people that have passed away. But moreover, for the ones not to have to happen."
