'Night of Hope' to come to Jacob Henry Mansion in Joliet

JOLIET – Wednesday will mark the third anniversary of the murder of Sherry Anicich’s daughter and unborn granddaughter.

“I could spend that night in bed crying my eyes out or I could do something positive ... to put some beautiful energy out there for others and for myself,” she said.

Anicich has organized “Night of Hope” to feature inspirational speakers, counselors and performers at the Jacob Henry Mansion. She plans to make it an annual event sponsored by the Purple Project, a nonprofit she and her husband, Joe, founded and named after her daughter’s favorite color.

Alisha N. Bromfield, 21, of Plainfield, was strangled to death by an ex-boyfriend in August 2012 while they were attending a wedding in Door County, Wisconsin. Bromfield was six months pregnant with a girl she planned to name Ava. The man has since been found guilty and sentenced in her murder.

“Going through unimaginable horror I wanted to change that to a night filled with love,” Anicich said. “It doesn’t have to be that dramatic of a loss. Anyone [who wants to attend] can benefit from hope.”

Free tickets are available at purpleproject.org. Appetizers will be offered while a Christian band performs before the welcome ceremony. Guest speakers will include Scarlett Lewis, whose son was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, and Benjamin Scott Allen, who wrote "Out of the Ashes" after the death of his wife and their two children.

“Everyone can hear these stories,” Anicich said. “Scarlett talks about bullying and compassion in schools, which is a good message for older kids.”

A candlelight vigil in the garden will follow. More than 20 vendors will have counseling and social service resources available for attendees.

“We are also honoring the police, fire, soldiers, first responders, spiritual and religious leaders and political leaders [who] play an important part when a tragedy happens,” Anicich said.

---

IF YOU GO

What: A Night of Hope

When: 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Jacob Henry Mansion, 20 S. Eastern Ave., Joliet

Get tickets: Free tickets can be downloaded at www.purpleproject.org