"A day of joy:" More than 200 moms who have lost children to violence showered with love on Mother's Day

MILWAUKEE -- A special brunch was held in Milwaukee on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 8th to honor mothers who have lost their children to violence.

Terrell Johnnies organized and coordinated the second annual Mother's Day brunch for mothers who have lost a child to violence. More than 200 mothers enjoyed delicious food and were showered with love.

"It`s a day of joy. We want to celebrate our mothers," Johnnies said.

Terrell Johnnies

"I think it`s absolutely wonderful thing that he is recognizing them today," Chef Lisa McKay said.

Chef McKay helped sponsor the event.

"It`s a labor of love -- and I love it,"  McKay said.

It was an effort to connect women who can relate to one another, and share their grief.

"My son was always happy go lucky," Betty Low Gentry, who lost her son to gun violence said.

Betty Low Gentry

Gentry said she was thankful for the support as she continues to cope with the death of her son, who died one year ago (on May 9th, 2015) after he was shot.

"It's support for me. It's support that other moms, other families are going through something me and my family is going through. It's really great. We need to come together as moms," Low Gentry said.

"It`s hard -- so I`m excited to be around positive, motivating, inspiring people. We have the support of the community, but it takes the individuals who are actually creating these tragedies to wake up and know they are definitely impacting mothers, children, other relatives, grandmothers, uncles -- the entire community," Nicole Goins said.

Police said as of Friday, May 7th, there have been 35 homicides in 2016 in the city of Milwaukee.