The chilly, October air did not stop University faculty, students and community leaders from gathering yesterday to remember those involved in alcohol-related accidents at the annual Candlelight Vigil of Hope and Remembrance.

Some people stood at the South Patio outside the Illini Union as they listened to the Father Johndamaseni Zilimu, Black Chorus and poetry reading while others sat in the back and reflected.

Planning and coordinating the vigil for six years as part of National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, Special Population Health Concerns Committee, a division of McKinley Health Center's Wellness Promotion, was able to pull the event together with the help of sponsorship from American College Of Health Care Executives, Illini Health Coalition, Daily Illini and Minority Association of Pre-Health Students.

Nicole Dunlap, president of the Minority Association of Pre-Health Students said she thinks alcohol abuse is a problem at the University.

"One of our goals is community awareness," Dunlap said. "This is a way for us to reach out to the community."

Sgt. Scott Friedlein from the Champaign Police Department was among the speakers invited to give testimonies at the event.

"We are not lacking alcohol-related accidents, unfortunately, but we are seeing changes in behavior," he said.

Having been a police officer for 18 years, Friedlein said the fight against alcohol is a "revolving battle." As new students come to the University, Friedlein said the University and the police department try to set a tone for alcohol issues on campus with brochures at orientation.

Champaign Mayor Jerry Schweighart was a surprise visitor at the event.

"I support events put on by students and those who have been victims of alcohol," Schweighart said.

Schweighart said he had close encounters with students using and abusing alcohol in his 32-year career as a police officer before he became the Mayor.

He said the alcohol problem is no bigger in the Champaign community than in others. In the last four years, he said he has had to suspend more than 27 bar licenses, compared with none in the 12 years previous. Yet he said he has received consistent cooperation from the community.

SPHCC President Anjali Rao said the vigil does not preach to students not to drink but to be aware and promote their own health by making healthy decisions.

Rao said the vigil draws attention to the effects of alcohol on people's lives, whether through alcoholism in the family or through drinking and driving situations.

With lighted candles, participants in the procession walked from the Union to Foellinger Auditorium.

Ilene Harned, the coordinator for the Alcohol and Other Drug Office at McKinley, said the vigil is just one of McKinley's efforts. Various education programs are put on by McKinley with assistance from other University organizations, such as Greek Affairs and the housing and athletic departments. SPHCC also coordinates the Wizard of AIDS and an annual health fair.

"The key is: doing one thing does not impact everyone," Harned said. "You have to meet people where they are because they learn in different ways."