RHONDA PARKINSON, KATHY BERG, PATTY AMICO
November is National Childhood Grief Awareness Month. Socialites learned at their luncheon that meeting the needs of children who have lost a parent or a sibling has been the mission of Valerie’s House, whose belief is that no child should grieve alone.
Socialites’ member Patty Amico introduced Kathy Berg, the representative from Valerie’s House. Patty explained that after her daughter’s death, she is raising her teenage granddaughter. Patty expressed her gratitude for the support of this organization and for what it has done for the two of them.
Berg explained that Valerie’s House is named after Valerie Melvin, who died in 1987 in an automobile accident in Fort Myers. Dealing with her own grief, Valerie’s oldest daughter Angela was inspired to bring this support mission to Southwest Florida.
Located in Fort Myers on what is now named Valerie’s Way, the house offers a home-like environment where program participants can gather after school or work to be with other children, parents, and grandparents who share their feelings of loss. They offer group sessions and individual counselling for children from the age of 5 to 18.
The need for this support program has grown so much there are also Valerie’s Houses in Naples and Punta Gorda. Each house has its hired staff, but the program depends on volunteers. It receives no government money, so it depends on fundraisers and individual donations. At the program’s close, Rhonda Parkinson presented Berg with a check from the Socialites. In addition, because she had put it on her wish list, the Socialites gave Berg several bags of rocks suitable for painting in their art therapy sessions. The bags of rocks were clever and thoughtful centerpieces arranged by Mary Lou Pierozzi.
Before the program, President Janet Kerns welcomed everyone and introduced Donna Moffatt who reminded the group that Angel Tree gifts are due. Cheryl Dawes introduced two new members, and Treasurer Bev Groft reported November’s member donation to the All Souls food bank totaled $425, and the proceeds from the bake sale totaled $725, which will go to PACE Center for Girls.
Socialites will meet again on December 17, when they will host students from the North Fort Myers Academy of the Arts.
