Bowling Green and Warren County proclaim October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Bowling Green and Warren County have proclaimed October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and one local organization is reflecting on a recent event honoring those impacted.

According to a release by Steps for Samuel, its 14th annual Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness event took place Thursday, Oct. 15 at Lovers Lane Soccer Complex in Bowling Green.

The yearly gathering brings families, friends and the community together for an evening of remembrance, reflection and connection, the organization says.

The event coincides with the International Wave of Light, a worldwide observance in which families light candles to honor babies who died during pregnancy or infancy.

“We are incredibly thankful for the opportunity to come together as a community, hold space for families who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss, and honor the precious little ones who will forever be part of their lives” said Julie McCoy of Steps for Samuel. “Every baby deserves to be remembered, and every family deserves to feel supported. It is our hope that this evening provides a sense of connection, comfort, and the reassurance that their children are loved, remembered, and never forgotten.”

According to the organization, the evening included a special tree dedication, a candlelight vigil with the reading of the babies names and a peaceful remembrance walk around the park.

In conjunction with this year’s event, the City of Bowling Green and Warren County issued an official proclamation recognizing October 2026 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

According to the release, the proclamation acknowledges the important work of Steps for Samuel in honoring babies lost during pregnancy and infancy, supporting grieving families and educating the community. It also recognizes the organization’s ongoing efforts to provide living memorials through tree dedications at 12 local parks, creating meaningful places where families can gather, reflect and honor their children, the release states.

The proclamation further highlights the organization’s participation in the International Wave of Light and its commitment to fostering a compassionate, nonjudgmental community where families can openly remember and celebrate the lives of their children.

Steps for Samuel states it was founded more than a decade ago in loving memory of Samuel Louis McCoy, offering families a space to remember their children and share their experiences.

For more information about Steps for Samuel, upcoming initiatives or ways to support its mission, visit www.StepsForSamuel.org.