ANNA MARIA, Fla. — On Tuesday, dozens of people gathered on Anna Maria beach for a COVID Ribbon Memorial, remembering the nearly 29,000 Florida residents who have died of COVID-19.
People stretched down the beach all holding a string with 30,000 ribbons tied to it.
Each colorful ribbon represented the life of a Florida resident who died from COVID.
Many people wrote names on a ribbon of loved ones who have died.
Cathy Tobias says she created the memorial because she wanted to do something to put the numbers into perspective.
"I would watch the numbers tick off higher and higher and I wanted something to wrap my head around that number. So I wanted something that would help do that for me and I was hoping it would be meaningful for other people also," said Tobias.
Tobias says she is hoping that it will be displayed in other areas of the state to bring recognition and healing to families who have lost loved ones to COVID-19.
For more information on the COVID Ribbon Memorial visit their Facebook page.
