Created: 11/13/2009 10:35:04 AM 
Elon, NC -- Friends of Somer Thompson and her family want to keep her memory alive, while protecting other children from going missing.
She disappeared on her walk home to school in Florida last month.
Police later found the seven-year-old's body in a Georgia landfill.
Her father, Sam Thompson lives in Graham.
This weekend, two events are being held in Somer's memory.
A memorial service is planned tomorrow in Graham.
Sam Thompson said it will show how important his daughter was to everyone.
Another event scheduled for Sunday is aimed at preventing other children from disappearing.
Members of the band "Something Wicked" said they're planning something good.
"Child safety is the upmost important thing that we can provide to our children," said Todd Davis.
The issue hit home for the bass guitarist. He was childhood friends with Sam Thompson.
"With me going to school with Sammy and my son going to school with his daughter, Sommer, it's just like me losing a kid. I just figured this was the best way I could do to help a friend out," Davis said.
The event at the Fat Frogg Elon will raise money for Thompson, and awareness for child safety.
Law enforcement will be at the event to provide information to parents and kids.
"Of course, we're always trying to impose on children that you don't talk to strangers," said Lavell Lovette, Elon Police Chief.
Thompson said Somer knew that rule.
"Kids have love in their heart," he said. "It doesn't take but a second to take their mind off of what they've been taught," Thompson said.
"We teach the parents that the kids need to know their names, their address, their parents' names," Lovette said.
She said parents should have their children fingerprinted, which she said unfortunately usually is only used for identifying a body. She said the prints can be done at a police station.
Or, she said, parents can have their kids put their hands on a piece of paper, which parents should then fold and put in an envelope with a picture of the child.
Davis said Somer's case has influenced his own parenting skills.
"I seem to love a little bit more on my children and I've played with them a little bit longer and tried to keep them up a little bit later and I've also went on the Internet and looked at a bunch of safety tips and stuff," he said.
"I pray that God surrounds all of our children with angels and protects them from these predators," Thompson said.
Thompson said he appreciates the events in memory of his daughter.
Without the support, he said the pain of losing Somer would be too much to bear.
The memorial takes place Saturday at Riverside Baptist Church. It's located at 1568 East Harden St. in Graham. It is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. It's open to the entire community.
Organizers ask everyone to wear purple, which was Somer's favorite color.
"Let's give Somer the best sendoff any child could ever have," he said.
On Sunday, starting at 2 p.m. the child safety event will be held at the Fat Frogg Bar and Grill located at 2009 Timberline Station Drive off of West Haggard Ave. in Elon.
It will last until about 8 p.m. The event is geared toward families and will include bands and food.
Davis said a percentage of the proceeds will go to children's charity, but the details are not finalized yet.
WFMY News 2
