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Upcoming Events
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Camp Grief Busters is an annual event for bereaved children and
their families. It is held every June at the Stony Point Conference
Center in Stony Point, New York. Approximately 40 children,
ranging in age from pre-schoolers to teens, and 30 adults
attend the two-day overnight camp each year.
Camp itself is a mixture of creative hands-on activities, small
group discussions, recreational fun, and even a memorial
service.
This year, Camp GriefBusters will be
held a little earlier on May 30th and 31st 2009. Deadline for
applications is May 4th, and we fill to capacity quickly, so don't
delay! To download the application form, click on "Camp
Registration" on the home page.
OUR 11TH ANNUAL CAMP WAS FILLED TO CAPACITY AND WAS A
GREAT SUCCESS. WE THANK THE MANY WONDERFUL
VOLUNTEERS WHO HELPED US TO MAKE THIS CAMP
MEMORABLE. THE STONY POINT CENTER OUTDID THEMSELVES.
WE ALSO THANK THE MANY LOCAL MERCHANTS WHO
DONTATED TO US SO GENEROUSLY. CAMP 2009 WILL BE HELD
ON MAY 30TH AND THE 31ST AT THE STONY POINT CENTER IN
STONY POINT, NY.
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We understand that the holiday season is a particularly difficult
time for grieving families.
The holiday event held annually in early December, is an evening
designed to bring grieving families of all faiths and cultures
together, to feel unity and strength in their common struggle. It
is an opportunity to honor their loved one in a special way and
make room for love and joy at an otherwise painful time.
Children need to understand that is OK for them to experience
fun. For example, children select a craft project to complete in
remembrance of favorite memories of their loved one. We also
offer them face painting as a way to transform themselves into
something magical, whether it be a snowman, reindeer, Star of
David, or something special of their choice.
This is a special evening enjoyed by Hearts & Crafts families.
Parents have shared with us that their children find comfort
being in the company of other children who are also
experiencing loss.
This year, our Holiday Remembrance Evening is scheduled for
Tuesday December 2nd, 2008 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. This year we
are breaking with tradition and offering a casual evening with a
pizza party, and a holiday movie for the kids and a social time
for the adults downstairs.
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At Hearts & Crafts, we understand that grieving parents face
unique challenges. The weekend retreat gives grieving parents
an opportunity to take a "time out" from the daily demands of
(single) parenting, working and paying the bills.
Our retreat is a two-day, overnight stay where parents discuss
the nature of their loss in a comforting setting, and participate
in activities that help them relieve stress, such as Massage, Yoga
and Meditation. There is even an activity where they get to play
like children.
Our retreat has been met with rave reviews by the participants
and we are currently exploring expanding this event to be held
twice a year.
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If you are a father raising children alone, we are interested in
speaking with you about your experiences and the potential of
paticipating in an upcoming book on men who are raising or
have raised young children after the loss of a mother.
Frank Aiello is an award-winning photographer and former
participant in the Hearts & Crafts program. Widowed at a young
age, with two small children, Frank turned to Hearts & Crafts to
help his family deal with their tragic loss. Now, years later, with
creative partner and wife Kathy, Frank hopes to inspire, support
and educate others, and to acknowledge the fathers who take on
the daunting task of trying to "mother" young children and face
the day to day challenges of raising kids alone. The book will be
comprised of fine art images and stories of real life fathers and
their children.
If you are interested, please contact Kathy Aiello @
Kathy.aiello2@verizon.net or call 551-265-7926
-Frank and Kathy
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For five consecutive Halloweens, Steve has adopted the H&C
mailbox to raise money for the scholarship fund. He has raised
over $14,000 for us at his haunted home in Allendale. This year he
created "THE PORTAL" on Route 17 in Paramus, NJ., a haunted
house you can walk through. He has state of the art special effects
that are sure to thrill (not for the feint of heart!). As "THE PORTAL"
grows in popularity, we hope it will be a good source of
scholarship funding. Spread the word with your teen and adult
friends for October 2009.
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