Gearing up to helped bereaved, over the holidays
Hope for Bereaved began by helping people who lost loved ones get through the holidays 'alone.' That was in 1978.
Now, the support program is set to stage its big annual dinner, to fund the ongoing effort, that includes year-round counseling and support groups to people of all ages in pain after the death of a friend, classmate or relative.
Therese Schoeneck, Hope's executive director, says the latest support group is for siblings or friends who are bereaved because of drug abuse. But the group is gearing up to also help people who face the holidays without a loved one, and the 'usual' holiday traditions.
Hope has a free pamphlet, 'Coping with the Holidays' with tips and advice, both of the bereaved person and for friends who may be unsure how to help. There are also two information sessions planned, November 29th 6:30 - 8:30 at Hope's offices on Onondaga Boulevard (across from Westhill High School), and December 2nd 5 - 7pm at Thomas Pirro Funeral Home on Buckley Road in Liverpool.
For information on support group schedules, or on the November 9th dinner dance at the Oncenter, which includes a silent auction of 250 items (including some unique gift baskets made by bereaved with remembrances of lost loved ones, like an SU Football package in tribute to a past player)-- Hope for Bereaved is at 475-HOPE (9657) or www.hopeforbereaved.com
