Willow House Plans Virtual 'Week To Remember' Sept. 21-27 To Honor Lost Loved Ones In Lieu Of Annual 5k Run/Walk
Bannockburn, IL - Willow House incorporates COVID protocols for the 12th Annual Walk To Remember, changing the one-day happening to a virtual event and extending the celebration for a full week, Sept. 21-27. Willow House family-friendly activities will be hosted online, 5K Walk or Run teams can be created and tracked online, and a first-ever Drive To Remember concludes the Willow House Week To Remember on Sunday, Sept. 27. The nonprofit's goal is to raise $50,000 this year to ensure the organization continues its free grief services and programming in the greater Chicago area for those who are suffering the loss of a parent or child.
While things may look a bit different this year, the need to support Willow House and its services is more important than ever given the challenges that 2020 has presented.
"Grieving the loss of a loved one under normal circumstances --pre-COVID-- is difficult enough. Now due to COVID, the way we mourn the loss of a loved one has changed dramatically," says Willow House Executive Director David Scheffler. "There is less human interaction and connection, and a greater sense of isolation. Willow House has experienced a significant increase in the number of phone calls and inquiries seeking our services since late February and your support is greatly needed to allow us to continue providing services free of charge," he adds.
This year's Willow House 5K Walk/Run will be a virtual happening where participants can create fundraising teams and online pages then track their mileage and donations. Prizes will be awarded for several categories including silliest running/walking outfit and more, and teams have an opportunity to share progress through participants' "track your fitness" apps. The virtual 5K Walk/Run participants can lead and report via social media between now and Sept. 26, with results and photos using the hashtag #WeekToRemember.
"Check out the fun ideas we offer to create a personal 5K - from lapping the local community track, to wandering through the Chicago Botanic Gardens or Lincoln Park Zoo, and more," adds Scheffler.
Other ways to engage and support the nonprofit during the Willow House Week To Remember Sept. 21-27 include the following free activities. Visit www.willowhouseweektoremember.org for complete schedules and registration links.
Monday: Executive Director David Scheffler offers a welcome and overview of the week's events and goals.
Tuesday: A Family-Friendly Art Night helps participants design memory markers for Sunday's Drive To Remember. Those who have registered for Week to Remember will receive a Zoom link to attend. The website offers tips on how to pick up a free memory marker poster or to purchase a personalized poster from Willow House.
Wednesday: Get moving! A family-oriented WERQ Fitness Class will be led by instructor Amber Barnhill.
Thursday: A live Q&A Zoom discussion concludes the Living with Grief in Uncertain Times: Help and Support for Families Series. Willow House Senior Trainers and co-owners of Satori Group, Pamela Gabbay, EdD, FT and Andy McNiel, MA, host the event. Register online.
Friday: Gather a group at home for the Family Bingo Night.
Saturday: Let Willow House entertain the family with an online variety show.
Sunday: The first-ever Drive To Remember happens between 2 - 4 p.m. at the North Shore Unitarian Church, 2100 Half Day Road, in Bannockburn, Illinois. The day begins with an inspiring performance by the renowned Chicago Highlanders Pipes & Drums.
To register, donate, and create a fundraising team for the 2020 Week to Remember, visit www.weektoremember.org. For more information on Willow House and its services, visit www.willowhouse.org, call 847-236-9300, or email info@willowhouse.org.
About Willow House
Willow House is a non-profit organization dedicated to the needs of grieving children and their families. The organization is recognized as a leader in the field of children's grief locally and nationally. Peer support group services are provided in four locations, Arlington Heights, Chicago, Libertyville and Bannockburn, with plans to expand to additional sites in the future. Since 1998, Willow House has provided direct services to hundreds of families each year including families of 9/11. Thousands more have been served by community outreach programs that span the entire Chicago region, from far south suburbs of Chicago to the Wisconsin border and beyond. Through donations, as well as corporate and foundation support, Willow House services are provided at no cost to our families. For more information, visit www.willowhouse.org.