The National Vigil for Hope held events Sunday throughout the country -- including in Scranton. Loved ones of 3 widely publicized local missing persons cases were there to make sure no one forgets.

Organizers gather at Nay Aug Park for a National Vigil for Hope. The event is aimed at increasing awareness of missing children and adults.

One of those cases dates back 23-years. 11-year-old Michelle Jolene Lakey of Scranton disappeared in 1986. Lakey’s mom Lois Dunham said, "It's like somebody's ripped a hole right our of your life."

Dunham lives in New York State these days. She copes with the idea that no one may ever find out what happened to her daughter. "Not knowing is mentally the worst thing in the world... having no idea on what happened and waiting that long," she added.

Another mother dealing with that same heartache is Pauline Bailey of Nanticoke. "We really miss her. It's like 5 years and you know what? It's like it happened yesterday. The pain doesn't get easier. And to not know, not be able to say goodbye," she said.

Her 22-year-old daughter Phylicia Thomas disappeared from her Sweet Valley home in 2004. Bailey believes this vigil can help. "We're just hoping, you know, maybe in this people will hear things and maybe we'll get something else and we'll find her," she said.

A more recent missing person's case is that of 34-year-old Donald Skiff. The Plymouth man hasn't been seen since April 27th.

A friend at this vigil says the initial search was stalled because missing adult cases are handled differently than children. Skiff’s friend Robert Benci said, "When a child goes missing, obviously all efforts are made as quickly as possible. With adults, it takes up to 48 hours and hopefully there can be some changes in the laws that will treat adults the same as children."

A call for communities everywhere to take notice -- that one missing child or adult is one too many.