The Compassionate Friend, El Paso, Texas Chapter. Is an organization dedicated to assisting the member of the community with the grief of a child. While the mission of this non-profit organization is valuable to our community and those that have lots a love one, I am concerned with their annual Walk to Remember event that will be held on Sunday October 11th, 2015.

During this event, the organizers are planning a memory walk in which participants will be releasing 2 balloons in memory of the love ones they have lots. Although this is a nice gesture, it poses environmental and wildlife problems.

When balloons are released they don't just disappear. They float back down to earth where they produce litter. Balloons are often mistaken for food by many species of wildlife. The animal is usually killed from the balloon blocking its digestive tract, leaving them unable to take in any more nutrients. Animals can also become entangled making it unable to move or eat.

There are environmental friendly alternatives to balloon launches such as planting a tree or flowers; use colorful streamers during the walk and reusing them for next year, floating flowers, blow bubbles, making a display of pinwheels and then recycling them, etc.

Let's express our concern about the dangers of releasing balloons during this event and encourage a chance to a more environmental friendly alternative. I will collect signatures and email the people in charge of this event.

To learn more about this event visit their website http://www.elpasotcf.org/walk_to_remember1.aspx