By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – Dozens of people gathered in the parking lot of Shelby County High School on July 8 to pray for 18-year-old Haleigh Green, a Columbiana woman who was reported missing this week.

Green was last seen in the area of Egg and Butter Road in Columbiana on July 6 at about 9:30 a.m., according to a Shelby County Sheriff’s Office press release.

Green allegedly did not attend her classes at Lawson State Community College on July 6 or 7, the release read.

The SCSO is seeking information on Green’s whereabouts as the investigation continues.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division at (205) 669-4181.

Meanwhile, many who attended the July 8 prayer meeting for Green prepared to launch group searches.

Karen Powell, a friend of Green’s family, is helping coordinate search efforts for Green on a “Help Find Haleigh” Facebook page.

Powell urged those who search to post their location on the page so others will know which areas have been covered.

She also welcomed any ideas regarding search methods.

“We’re a small town,” Powell said. “We’re not used to this. We don’t know where to start, so start anywhere you can. We’ve got to go outside the box and look all over the place.”

According to a post on the Help Find Haleigh page, Green drives a 2003 red Ford Mustang.

Marsha Burns, one of Green’s father’s neighbors on Egg and Butter Road in Columbiana, said anyone was welcome to meet at her house for a search the evening of July 8 at 6:15 p.m.

“She needs to know we’re looking for her,” Burns said. “We’re going to find her. When something like that hits home, it takes everybody.”

Amber Kelley said she organized the prayer meeting through Facebook to rally support and search efforts for Green, her longtime friend and fellow SCHS graduate.

“Our God is a sovereign God and he will hear our prayers and bring her home safe and soon,” Kelley wrote in a post on the Help Find Haleigh page.

“I was really just hoping for at least five (people),” Kelley said of the meeting. “It just kind of exploded.”

For more information about search efforts for Green, visit Facebook.com/pages/Help-Find-Haleigh/784370408328589?fref=ts.