Parents, Siblings, Families, Friends Walk To Remember Those Gone Too Soon

Statewide, CT—The East Of The River CT. Chapter of The Compassionate Friends invites all bereaved parents, siblings, relatives and friends to register now for a Walk of Various Lengths up to 3 miles for the “Walk to Remember” Saturday, July 9, at 11:00.

Who Are The Compassionate Friends? 

As the world’s largest self-help bereavement organization, The Compassionate Friends offers friendship, understanding, and hope to families who have experienced the death of a child, of any age from pre-birth to full maturity, from any cause.  There are more than 625 chapters in the United States, including all 50 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico.  The East Of The River CT. Chapter welcomes bereaved families, not only from the eastern side of the river, but anywhere within driving distance.  They are hosting the local event, which includes all Connecticut TCF Chapters and their families, in conjunction with The Compassionate Friends National Walk to Remember® in Minneapolis, Minnesota where up to 2,000 are expected to participate.  Dozens of chapters across the country will join in concurrent walks throughout the day.

Connecticut's First Statewide Walk to Remember

The Statewide walk will start at Center Spring Park, Manchester, Saturday, July 9 at 11:00.  Following the walk, there will be an afternoon of Fellowship and Remembrance including a cook-out, brief memorial service, and entertainment.  The afternoon will end with a butterfly release.

 “You don’t need to be a member of The Compassionate Friends to join with us and you don’t need to walk the full  mileage" says chapter leader Bettie-Jeanne Rivard-Darby, whose own daughter, RobynApril, was killed in a tragic accident 2 years ago and is the reason she founded the East Of the River Chapter last fall.. “We welcome everyone who wants to join hands and hearts in remembering all who have died too soon.  Our chapter has very strong parent and sibling support and we want to increase awareness that we are here, reaching out to grieving families.  We care, we understand and we support families through the worse pain of their lives.”   Adds walk chairperson and bereaved step-sibling Gayle Darby Clark, “This is a very important walk.  We are expecting leaders and families from the 8 other The Compassionate Friends Connecticut chapters to join us.  It is going to be a very moving event.”

How to Help ~ How To Join The Walk to Remember

 Anyone interested in walking will find information on the chapter’s website www.TCFEastOfTheRiverCT.org or can phone the Walk Chairperson at 860-454-4809.   There is no cost to walk, but participants are urged to seek pledges that will go to the local chapter to support outreach and chapter activities and to make donations to the chapter team HOLDING HANDS HUGGING HEARTS at secure funding raising website www.TCFWalkToRemember.org   Walkers will receive a “walk bib” to record the names of those being remembered, as well as  have the opportunity to pre-order special Compassionate Friends walk T-shirts, which can include their loved ones photo if they wish..

TCF EastOf TheRiver Support Meetings

 The TCF East Of The River CT Chapter meets the 3^rd Thursday of every month at 6:30 at the Hilton Inn & Suites on Pleasant Valley Rd in Manchester.  For more information, call Chapter leader Bettie-Jeanne at 860-8707581 or visit the website at www.TCFEastOfTheRiverCT.org.  Information about the national organization and other chapter locations, call toll-free 877-969-0010 or visit TCF’s national website at www.CompassionateFriends.org .   The Compassionate Friends has a presence in at least 30 countries worldwide.