On October 4, 2008, the Springfield Angel of Hope, NFP dedicated an Angel of Hope Statue in the Washington Park Botanical Garden. The warm sunshine and memories of beloved children drew nearly 700 people to this special event. After Springfield Angel of Hope, NFP President Doug Reynolds welcomed attendees, he and Vice President Elise LoBue unveiled the Angel of Hope Statue for the first time.

Dr. Wayne P. Hoffman, Senior Pastor at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, provided the opening and closing prayers, while guest speakers Lisa Johnson from Christmas Box House International in Salt Lake City, James Donelan representing Mayor Timothy Davlin's office, and Leslie Sgro, Springfield Park District Board of Trustees President, touched on the significance of Springfield's angel statue. Remarks highlighted the healing power of the Angel of Hope Statue, the natural beauty of the Springfield angel site, the tremendous community support for the angel statue, and the importance of the angel statue to our central Illinois community. Thirteen-year-old Jordan Lucore read a touching poem she wrote about what the Angel of Hope Statue means to her and what it would have meant to her twin brother Alex, now honored at the angel site. The children's choir from Our Savior's Lutheran Church spoke for all of the children remembered that day with the song, "Jesus Loves Me."

The dedication ceremony ended with the release of white doves in honor of the love we feel for our children, the peace we know they have found, and the hope the angel statue represents. The speakers' remarks, children's song, dove release, Carillon music, and brilliant sunshine combined for a wonderful welcome of the Angel of Hope Statue to the natural peacefulness of Springfield's Washington Park Botanical Garden. As speaker Lisa Johnson observed, "It's as though she has always been here." This honored event will be remembered by many as a day of hope, healing, peace and remembrance.