Volunteers at the Heart of Sixth Annual Great Pumpkin Ball

Melissa Parrish Press

(Morristown, NJ) – Good Grief’s sixth annual Great Pumpkin Ball, “Forks, Corks and Cocktails”, is Friday, October 21st at 7 PM at Canoe Brook Country Club in Short Hills, NJ. The annual gala raises much needed funds for the organization’s mission of providing free and unlimited support to children and families following the death of a mother, father, sister, or brother. Good Grief has served over 550 children and families in 180+ communities in the state of New Jersey through its locations in Princeton and Morristown, NJ.

The heart of Good Grief’s annual Great Pumpkin Ball is its volunteer planning committee. The Great Pumpkin Ball Planning Committee is comprised of 15 dedicated individuals, who work together to plan, coordinate and host the annual event. The committee is co-chaired by Gala Committee and Board Members, Shelly Haley and Linda Hough.

“I’ve attend Good Grief’s Great Pumpkin Ball for many years, so I was excited to help create this year’s event and play a role in showcasing the extraordinary programming Good Grief offers. I want to raise awareness and community involvement to help ensure no child has to grieve alone, EVER,” says Shelly Haley. “We invite members of our community to do their part for the cause by attending this exciting and fun evening.”

 

All of the 2016 committee members have a strong connection to Good Grief’s mission. Committee member Martha Lewis explains, “A friend of mine passed away years ago. Her four children and husband needed a life line. Although friends and family rallied around the family, it became clear they needed something more – a place where the kids wouldn’t feel alone. Good Grief provided life changing support for this family that carries them through to this day.”

“My husband died suddenly about two years ago. Not long after, I called Good Grief to get support for both myself and my 11 year old son. Good Grief has been so good to us for the past two years that I wanted to give back in some way. It’s easy to donate money, but it’s meaningful to give time as well,” says Good Grief participant and Gala Committee member Gena Pogorzelski.

The committee has been working to balance classic event favorites, such as the silent auction, while incorporating new and exciting additions to “Forks, Corks and Cocktails”. Committee member Jennifer Leonard shared one new feature she’s looking forward to, the Wine Pull. “I’m excited for the Wine Pull! It is a new and fun way to be involved and give to Good Grief. Plus you get to experience a new wine! You can’t beat that!” Gena nods in agreement, while adding that she is looking forward to the Good Grief families highlighting their lost loved ones favorite desserts, “I love the addition of the favorite desserts of our loved ones who have died. It would be brownies for my husband!”

Sponsorship opportunities and event tickets are still available. Visit: www.501auctions.com/goodgrief or email [email protected].

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Good Grief is respected as a national leader in delivering grief services to children and their families. Since its founding in 2004, Good Grief’s mission has been to provide unlimited and free support to children, teens, young adults, and families after the death of a mother, father, sister, or brother through peer support programs, education, and advocacy. With centers in Morristown and Princeton, New Jersey, Good Grief currently provides support to over 550 participants each month.  Good Grief is a registered 501(c) (3) tax-exempt non-profit organization. For more information about Good Grief, please visit our web site www.good-grief.org.

Contacts:

Joseph Primo, CEO                             Courtney Hodock, Director of Development

908-522-1999 x 8011                          609-498-6674 x 8010