A group of children blows bubbles on Water Street for Rowan Sweeney, who would have celebrated his 5th birthday today. Approximately 150 people showed up for the “Bubbles for Rowan” event.

STRUTHERS — On the eve of what would have been Rowan Sweeney’s 5th birthday, loved ones and strangers gathered to send a countless number of bubbles skyward to connect with the beloved child.

“This is a great way to remember Rowan right now,” the boy’s grieving father, David Sweeney, told those who attended a Bubbles for Rowan gathering Saturday outside of Social 22, 14 Water St. “We love you, Rowan, and I know you can hear us. We all love you, Row.”

A few hundred loved ones and strangers assembled for the event to honor and celebrate the life of Rowan, who was fatally shot just before 2 a.m. Sept. 21 in his Perry Street home when a gunman entered through the front door.

A Mahoning County grand jury indicted Kimonte D. Bryant, 24, of Struthers on Thursday on charges that included one count of aggravated murder and four of attempted murder. Bryant also is accused of wounding Alexis Schneider, 22, Rowan’s mother; Yarnell Green Jr., 30, who also was living at the home; Andre McCoy, 20; and Cassandra Marsicola, 20, of Campbell.

Schneider was unable to attend Saturday’s gathering, but thanked the community for its support.

Supporters and well-wishers, many of whom wore red “Justice for Rowan” T-shirts, lined both sides of Water Street to blow bubbles and symbolically send them to heaven in remembrance and honor of the child.

Among them was Adelle Lyons, 10, of Struthers, who was doing her best to send bubbles airborne while standing next to a firetruck.

“We’ve been giving away over 500 ribbons,” which have been tied around telephone poles on Center and Perry streets, said Adelle’s mother, Carrie Lyons.

Neither mother nor daughter knew Rowan’s family, but they wanted to do something positive in light of the tragedy that has rocked the community, Carrie added.

Trying in a similar vein to follow suit was Alma Cummins of Struthers, who, by her own estimate, made about 500 bows for people to buy. Others are on poles around town, she said.

“I’m a mom, and I can’t imagine losing my child — especially so young,” a tearful Kelly Ryan said.

Ryan, of Struthers, who has two grown children, volunteers for the Struthers Rotary Community Corps. She, too, doesn’t know the boy’s family, but wanted to take part in the bubble blowing event to express her support for a young life lost, as well as for his loved ones.

“We need to show that we have to stay together as a community,” she added.

John McCoy, a close family friend who also helped organize Saturday’s event, stressed that the event was to keep Rowan’s name and memory alive in Struthers and throughout the country. McCoy also works for Social 22 as a chef.

“The fact that this happened really affects a community. It’s the unimaginable,” Colleen Shirilla, Social 22’s owner, said. “We want Rowan’s legacy to be remembered in the best possible way.”

Shirilla also praised two couples, Aileen and Eric Rebec as well as Blaine Opatken and his girlfriend, Hannah Cetina, who took it upon themselves to work together to make bows, signs, stickers and shirts. Money raised from the items will go toward building a park in Struthers and naming it in Rowan’s memory.

No decision has been made regarding where the park will be.

The Bubbles for Rowan gathering also included several songs, including “Amazing Grace.”

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