For Immediate Release: For More Information:
Monday October 29, 2012 Judith Allen: 216-925-2285; jallen3778@cs.com
Cleveland-Area Organizations Support “National Children’s Grief Awareness Day,” Thursday November 15, 2012, with Balloon Release and “Wreath of Honor” Ceremony at Cornerstone of Hope
Experts on Children’s Grief Available for Education and Advice
CLEVELAND – Busch Funeral and Crematory Services, Cornerstone of Hope, E. F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home & Crematory, Lifebanc, Milano Monuments, and the Catholic Cemeteries Association are uniting to highlight National Children’s Grief Awareness Day, Thursday November 15, 2012. The purpose of the day is to remind grieving children they are not alone. The day also urges sensitivity to the needs of grieving children and their families.
Marcella Boyd Cox, Chief Marketing Officer for E. F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home & Crematory, states, “Children’s grief is often ignored in the flurry of activity that surrounds the death of a loved one. But a child’s grief never goes away, and it must be addressed in a loving and thoughtful way. E. F. Boyd is spearheading the effort to bring attention to this issue, along with other caring organizations.” Jim Milano, owner of Milano Monuments reinforces, “Children’s grief impacts the quality of life for our entire community. Greater Cleveland is a caring community, and we ask that everyone take part and observe this day.”
A brief ceremony featuring a balloon release and “Wreath of Honor” will take place at the Cornerstone of Hope outdoor garden in Independence, Ohio on Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 12:30 PM. This event is open to the public. Please access the websites listed on the attached Fact Sheet for more information. A live webcast of the event is available. The balloon release and presentation of the ceremonial wreath will occur regardless of weather conditions. Experts on children’s grief from Cornerstone of Hope, including Mark Tripodi, MBA, Executive Director, Laura Serazin, ATR, Children’s Program Coordinator, and Bob Pickard, Sr., PC, minister, counselor, trauma specialist and expert on urban violence, are available for interviews to provide education and counsel on children’s grief.
Local organizations can show support for National Children’s Grief Awareness Day on November 15, 2012, by: 1.) having employees wear the color blue, and wear blue lapel ribbons, 2.) placing a message of support for this effort on the company website, and 3.) taking other actions recommended by The National Alliance for Grieving Children. Please access http://www.highmarkcaringplace.com/cp2/cgad/index.shtml for more information.
Mark Busch of Busch Funeral and Crematory Services comments, “Children’s grief affects their future, and crosses socio-economic classes. One in twenty children will lose a parent before they graduate from high school.” Andrej Lah, President of Diocese of Cleveland’s Catholic Cemeteries Association mentions, “When we acknowledge their grief, our children are given the strength to confront the loss. They are assured that their tears are okay, and that longing means that the person who died lives on in their hearts.”
- Media inquiries for the panel of experts, or on the ceremonial event at the Cornerstone of Hope, Thursday, November 15, 2012, should contact Judith Allen at 216/925-2285.
- For more information on children’s grief, access the website for National Children’s Grief Awareness Day: http://childrengrieve.org/childrens-grief-awareness-day-0
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Fact Sheet on Cleveland-Area Observance of National Children’s Grief Awareness Day, Thursday November 15, 2012, and Balloon Release and “Wreath of Honor” Ceremony at Cornerstone of Hope
BACKGROUND
- National Children’s Grief Awareness Day was originated to let grieving children know that they are not alone.
- The holiday season is especially difficult for children after the death of a loved one.
- This day seeks to bring attention to the importance of being sensitive to the needs of grieving children and their families, and that caring support can make a tremendous difference to them.
- One out of twenty children, or five percent, will experience the loss of a parent before graduating from high school.
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION
The National Alliance for Grieving Children, http://childrengrieve.org/
CLEVELAND-AREA SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS, LIAISONS, AND WEBSITES
Busch Funeral Home and Crematory Services, Mark Busch, www.buschcares.com
Catholic Cemeteries Association, Diocese of Cleveland, Andrej, Lah, www.clevelandcatholiccemeteries.org/
Cornerstone of Hope, Mark Tripodi, MBA, www.cornerstoneofhope.org
E. F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home & Crematory, Marcella Boyd Cox, www.efboyd.com
Lifebanc, Heather Mekesa, www.lifebanc.org
Milano Monuments, Jim Milano, www.milanomonuments.com
EXPERTS ON CHILDREN’S GRIEF FROM CORNERSTONE OF HOPE
Mark Tripodi, MBA, Executive Director
Laura Serazin, ATR, Children’s Program Coordinator
Bob Pickard, Sr., PC, Minister, Counselor, Trauma Specialist
EVENT INFORMATION
WHAT Ceremony to honor National Children’s Grief Awareness Day
ACTIVITIES Music, prayers, remarks, presentation of child-themed wreath and release of blue balloons. Light refreshments will follow ceremony.
DATE Thursday November 15, 2012
TIME 12:30 pm
PLACE Cornerstone of Hope
ADDRESS 5905 Brecksville Road, Independence, Ohio 44131
PARKING Entrance on Brecksville Road
ATTENDANCE Open to, and welcoming of the public
THE CEREMONIAL EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE REGARDLESS OF WEATHER CONDITIONS.
COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA LIAISON
Judith Allen, v MARKETING SOLUTIONS v, 216/925-2285, jallen3778@cs.com
V7 10/29/12
