TYLER--More than 230,000 children die each year nationwide leaving thousands of families to grieve. Saturday, many East Texas families got the support they needed.

The Compassionate Friends is a grief support group for people who have lost children. Families gathered Saturday outside Tyler's First Baptist Church for the 5th Annual Butterfly Release.

Compassionate Friends leaders say the group's symbol is a butterfly because it represents everlasting life. Outside First Baptist Church, about 175 East Texas children were remembered with a butterfly stake in the ground. The event included songs, prayers and healing for families.

Sam Smith lost his 16 year old daughter in a car accident.

"It's sweet because I get to honor her memory, but bitter because I miss her every minute of every day, she's my first born and my best friend. So, there's a hole in my heart that never gets filled up, but these things help with a lot of healing," says Smith.

The butterfly release was the main event, where each family released a monarch butterfly in memory of their loved ones.

The Compassionate Friends is a non-profit group that meets on the third Tuesday of every month. Other support offered by the group include a monthly newsletter, phone friends, reading resources and internet resources. Group leaders encourage anyone to attend. For more information visit www.TylerTCF.org or the national website, www.thecompassionatefriends.com.