It’s something no parent can stand the thought of.

Each year, more than 50,000 children in the United States die, according to a study from the National Center for Health Statistics in 2000. The death of a child is considered one of the most painful events an adult can experience – one that has lasting effects.

In September 2015, the unimaginable happened to Stacey and Wayne Filizetti, of Gwinn, when their daughter Amarah, 4, died tragically.

“All of our dreams, fantasies of seeing her walk down the aisle. … It all went black,” Stacey Filizetti said in a Wednesday Mining Journal article.

But even in unfathomable pain, the Filizettis are working to turn the lights back on – and not just for themselves, but for other grieving families, too.

On Saturday, Amarah’s Princess Parade will take place at Presque Isle Park in Marquette. The event – which includes a walk around the island and encourages participants to dress in prince and princess attire – will raise funds for Amarah’s Light. The Filizettis formed the nonprofit organization to help grieving families cope with loss.

We are amazed by the spirit of the Filizettis.

“I think there’s a point in time when it hits you that you’re either going to do something to help people or just sit back and do nothing,” Wayne Filizetti said in Wednesday’s article. “We decided to help people.”

The Filizettis said they were lucky to have community support in the days that followed Amarah’s death. In that vein, and in honor of their daughter, the Filizettis plan to do the same for other grieving families. Care packages with items such as bottled water, paper plates, food storage containers, tissues and jump drives to back up photographs, will be distributed to families in need.

“The community jumps in, and it’s amazing – the first week, two weeks, three weeks. And then everyone goes on with their lives,” Stacey Filizetti said. “We can step in for that longer period of time.”

By helping other families in need, the Filizettis are transforming tragedy into inspiration.

And while there may not be any way to ever truly dull the pain of losing their “princess,” they are keeping her spirit alive.

We encourage the community to turn out for Saturday’s event for the benefit of the Filizettis and other families in the area battling similar grief. Registration for the event will begin at 9 a.m., with the walk around the island beginning at 10.

“There has to be a point where the light comes back, and I think Amarah had that ability,” Stacey Filizetti said.

Let’s help the Filizettis and other grieving families bring the light back.