http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/2073506.html
(with video)
Vigil Of Hope
Family tries to keep awareness alive
A Tuesday evening candle-light vigil of remembrance for Amber Harris sparks hope for the family of the 12-year-old girl last seen two weeks ago at 20th and Pinkney.
One mother at the vigil understands what the Harris family is going through.
Kelly Jolkowski's son disappeared four and a half years ago.
"There are a lot of emotions," she said. "Guilt, anger
very normal things and that's what we help families deal with."
Jolkowski's son Jason was 19 when he vanished on June 13, 2001. He was on his way to meet a friend in Benson for a ride to work.
His photo is just below that of Amber Harris' on the Nebraska page of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
He's listed as missing with a composite picture of what he might look like today.
Harris is labeled as an endangered runaway.
"These people are going through an awful time now," Jolkowski said.
Her family didn't have many places to turn for help, so they founded projectjason.org to do for others what wasn't done for them.
Jolkowski says the goal is to help people remember the person is still missing and keep their story alive.
The vigil was one way the family can keep up the awareness.
Jolkowski says the next step is to broaden the wings of the story and use the resources to get the national media involved.
The Tuesday after Thanksgiving, November 29, is the last night anyone saw Amber.
She was getting off the school bus. Late on Wednesday, November 30, Omaha police issued their first call for the public's help but insist they suspect no foul play.
On Sunday, December 4, police were going door-to-door searching the neighborhood for clues.
The family announced a reward fund on December 6, but no new leads emerged.
Police searched with a helicopter December 11 with no luck.
The reward fund doubled to $2,000 the next day thanks to efforts of friends.
Police continue to ask for help from anyone who may know anything about Amber's whereabouts. Anyone with information should call 402-444-5656.
