Photo Gallery: Celebrating the Life of Danielle Sellers

Friends and family of the late Evergreen Park resident Danielle Sellers, came together on May 6 to celebrate her life, on the one-year anniversary of her death.

More than 120 people gathered in to give a memorial balloon release, light candles and remember Sellers' life.

"She touched a lot of people," said James Sellers, Danielle's father.

"This is just their way of celebrating her life and keeping her alive and in their hearts, and I love it," he said.

Sellers, who was 17 at the time, was killed in a car crash on the 10000 block of South Turner Avenue on May 6, 2010, according to a report from the Chicago Breaking News Center.

While fighting back tears, James said he wishes he could tell his daughter "how much she means to me and how much she impacted other people's lives...she was always smiling...and always was there for any of her friends that needed her."

Earlier in the day, about 30 people attended a luncheon in Danielle's memory, at Gilhooley's Grande Saloon, 3901 W. 103rd St. James said Danielle's friend, Britnie Tomasek, 18 organized the event and played a slideshow that she created for the luncheon.

"It was very well put together and meant a lot," said James.

Tomasek, who additionaly helped organized the balloon send-off and candlelight memorial, said "Danielle was one of my best friends...I think it's important for everyone to come together."

She continued, "This is a good way to remember her so we can send our balloons up to heaven to be with her."

Shortly after the 7 p.m. balloon release, friends and family walked over to the tree where the car Danielle rode in crashed. Some sat candles at the tree and paused for moments of silence.

When the group returned to Klein Park, James said they planned to light and release 100 Chinese  Flying Sky Lanterns, but police stopped them, saying it was a hazard.