Dear Compassionate Friend:
1. Sharing Circles – May 20th, June 17th, July 15th, August 19th
Our Sharing Circles continue on the third Tuesday of every month at The Olde Forge Community Resource Centre, 2730 Carling Avenue (at Richmond) from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. There is no need to register in advance, and there are no fees to attend any of our meetings or activities. For driving instructions and a map, please visit our website: www.tcfottawa.net.
We are always looking out for parents to assist in facilitating our Sharing Circles and will be conducting a training session in the fall for new volunteers. If you would like to find out more about this very rewarding role, please reply to this e-mail.
2. Balloon Release – June 21st
Our annual Balloon Release in memory of our children who left us too soon will take place on Saturday June 21st at The Butterfly Garden on the CHEO campus. Registration will open at 1:30 pm and the ceremony will begin at 2:00 pm. Balloons, strings and notes, light refreshments, as well as free parking will be provided courtesy of CHEO.
Please feel free to forward the attached poster to anyone that you think may like to attend, and also print and post it in your local community centre, doctor’s office, workplace or place of worship.
3. Annual General Meeting – June 3rd
Our Annual General Meeting #15 will be held on Tuesday June 3rd at The Olde Forge starting at 6:30 pm. Please join us to see what goes on “behind the scenes” and how you may be able to able to contribute your time and talents to helping others on their grief journey.
The meeting format is informal, with lots of round-table discussion. Please feel free to bring snacks, drinks or finger-food to share.
4. Summer Social – July 12th
Eileen and I will be hosting our annual get-together on Saturday July 12th from 4:30 pm. This is a casual potluck format and everyone is welcome to come, even if you have not been to a Sharing Circle. We will send out more details closer to the date.
5. The Butterfly Garden at CHEO
The rejuvenation project is underway with the major “hard-scaping” starting last weekend. New plantings will be scheduled when the weather and ground are warmer. The new look Garden is expected to be ready in time for the Balloon Release in June (which is another good reason to attend that event).
6. Website / Facebook
Our Chapter website www.tcfottawa.net contains information on Chapter activities, contacts, and links to several support resources. If you have any suggestions for additional material or would like your child included on our “Remembering” page, please contact our webmaster Mark through the e-mail link.
Our Chapter is also on Facebook – look for “The Compassionate Friends Ottawa Chapter” to post pictures and comments and share messages.
7. United Way Donations
The Compassionate Friends is a volunteer, peer support network. There are no membership or any other fees to use our services or to participate in our groups or activities. We do not solicit funds from our members nor do we have fundraising campaigns. This is not a request for funds. However, we are grateful for any donations received and use them to further the activities of the Chapter.
If you wish to donate through United Way, you may designate The Compassionate Friends as the recipient of your contribution. The official title of the Chapter is “The Compassionate Friends, Ottawa Valley / Outaouais Chapter” and our charitable organization number is 86493-2520-RR0001. United Way will provide you with a tax receipt but please note that an administrative fee will be deducted by United Way from your contribution.
Thank you for your support.
8. Contact List Update
If you would prefer not to receive these updates, please let me know and I will remove you from our contact list.
Best wishes,
Andy Bond
The Compassionate Friends, Ottawa Chapter
http://www.tcfottawa.net
Kevin’s Dad
The Compassionate Friends 