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No. 13 Vol. 6
www.themadisonnewsnj.com
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June 2017
Annual Good Grief 5K Run/Walk Brings Hope And Funds
By Dawn M Chiossi he Good Grief 5K Run/Walk for Hope is more than exercise; it’s more than just a fun healthy activity. It is a chance to help out people who are grieving; it is a chance to give them catharsis. More than 1,000 people showed up on June 4 at Giralda Farms in Madison at the Good Grief 5K Run and Walk for Hope, to spend their Sunday giving their time and energies to this great cause, and helping to raise approximately $116,093. Good Grief, when hearing the expression, perhaps folks think right away of Charlie Brown’s choked expression of frustration and resignation. Everyone knows that grief can be dark and even debilitating. But Good Grief understands this and helps let the light in. So, in spite of its ironic name, it actually seeks to find the good in grief. This organization is 100 percent privately funded and all programs are free to families. The 5K is a yearly event, now in its fourth year. It raises funds as well as awareness to help children, teens and young adults after the death of a mom, dad, brother or sis-
ter. The folks from Good Grief believe no one is ever alone in their grief. With this organization support is paramount, especially from peers. In sharing their emotions, feelings and memories, participants get the opportunity, not only to receive help and support, but to give it to others as well. However, this isn’t just a peer support program; it also stresses education and advocacy. Folks at large including local businesses, schools and civic groups received the opportunity to give hope by participating in the recent Good Grief 5K Run/ Walk for Hope, rain or shine. This year the weather held up beautifully and the event was a great success. People and teams showed up in droves to aid in this cause, even news anchor Kristine Johnson of Channel 2 New York lead the opening ceremony. Because grief can be so overwhelming, Good Grief aids participants by giving them much need coping skills for the present and the future, as well as much more. In teaching kids to exercise resilience, they are helping them empower themselves. With this program participants enjoy having a safe place to process their emotions, and to
become stronger despite grief. Families and friends can’t say enough about Good Grief and how it helps young people. Rebecca Finnerty, who lost her son, Justin last July, says “Finding the will to continue and processing a loss so life altering is not something done alone.” She goes on to say that she and her 27 member team were, “running because Good Grief has been essential for us in helping the kids feel like they are not alone in this.” From caring participants, fundraising, spon-
soring, to volunteering, to much more, there was a place for everyone to help out. People of all ages and abilities participated and enjoyed. As well as the 5K, there was a two-Mile Walk Course as well as Kids Dashes. This year’s male 5K winner was Rowan Nicholls and 5K female winner was Elena Rozhko. This year, the folks from Good Grief encouraged all to be a super hero by dressing in a super hero T shirt, cape or costume of their own design. They had continued on page 2