Now that pumpkins are for sale at local shops and farm-stands, we have officially moved into Autumn . The cooler weather has arrived and the sun sets a bit earlier every day.  As we move together into the last quarter of 2017 and into the holiday season, the Kara community offers healing sentiments and encouragement to all those who are navigating loss. As is our tradition during this time of year, we offer meaningful events and unique services to support the journey of grief for the bereaved.     

First up, on Saturday, October 14th at Mitchell Park, is our 12th annual Walk’n’Run to Remember.  You’ll read more about this special event in our spotlight below, but it is truly an opportunity to ‘honor a loved one’ and “support the grief journey.”  On November 3rd, the community is invited to our first Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) community celebration, a special evening to honor the relationship with our ancestors and deceased loved ones. On November 11th we’ll be offering our Navigating the Holidays Workshop designed for families seeking ways to manage the holidays after the death of a family member. On December 7th we’ll host our annual Candlelight Service of Remembrance.  Be sure to mark your calendar for this special evening where sharing on the themes of Love, Hope, Memory, Courage and Community come together with live music and culminate in a candle lighting ceremony. This event will also officially mark the conclusion of our 40th Year of Service to the community!  

I hope to see you at of one of our upcoming events.  As always, we thank you for your continued support of our mission and allowing us to provide care, compassion, connection and community for the bereaved.

2017 Walk’n’Run to Remember

This month we highlight our Walk’n’Run to Remember, which provides an expressive opportunity for individuals, families, organizations and businesses to honor and remember someone who has died, to support grieving friends or family members, and to help Kara sustain its critical services.Here’s the top five things you need to know about his special event!

What is the Distance for the Walk and Run?
The walk is 5K but there is also a shorter option (abut 2.5K) and the route is around Mitchell Park and in the surrounding neighborhood on streets’ sidewalks. The run is a 3K (1.6miles) race and is a flat run around the park on sidewalks and continues in the park.You can review the route maps on the Event Information document on our event website.

What’s the easiest way to register?
Register online on our event website.  You can select single or multiple tickets. You will be guided through the registration process and once complete will receive a confirmation email.  Then simply check in the morning of the event at our welcome table at Mitchell Park.  Online registration is available through midnight on October 12th.  Alternatively, you can also register on-site starting at 9 am the morning of event (we encourage online registration!)

Is the Walk’n’Run ‘family friendly’?
Absolutely, your entire family (and strollers!) is welcome. We simply encourage you to be respectful of other walkers/runners along the route.  Pets are welcome too, provided you follow Mitchell park regulations (dogs should be on a leash). Be sure to stay for the Festival after the walk/run where we will have games for the kids in our fun zone, live music, lots of door prizes to win and food.

OK, so what’s the schedule for the day, what time should I arrive?
9:00am Registration opens  (Mitchell Park, Bowl Area)
9:30am Opening Ceremony
10:00am Walk Begins
10:15am Run Begins
11:00pm Festival with Games, Live Music & Refreshments
12:30pm  Event Concludes

Light refreshments and coffee/drinks will be available at the registration area.  For all participants there will be chances to win door prizes at the festival. For runners, all finishers will receive a medal. The top 2 overall men’s and women’s finishers will receive a prize. Prizes will also be awarded to the top boy and girl runner finishers for kids under 12 years old as well as the top boy and girl runner finishers ages 12-16 years old! The runner awards ceremony will be at 11:15am in the family festival around 1130am.

What does my donation support and what is a fundraising team?
Your donation supports Kara’s mission of providing grief support for children, teens, families and adults and allows us to continue to bring our critical services to the community.  You can also start a fundraising team in honor of your loved one by creating a fundraiser webpage to encourage your friends and family to make a donation to Kara through your team page. The E F Harris Family Foundation will also MATCH every dollar given in support of the Walk’n’Run – up to $15,000!!!

Finally, make sure to check out our Walk’n’Run “411 Page” that shares all the important information that participants will need for this wonderful event.  We look forward to seeing you there as we honor a loved one and support the journey!

Día de los Muertos
(Day of the Dead Celebration)

Navigating the Holidays Workshop

Drop-In Groups at Kara

En Español
1st Thursday of the month (6:30pm – 8:00pm)
2nd Tuesday of the month (10:30am – 12:00pm)

Partner & Advocacy Corner

A special acknowledgment this month goes out to the Wells Fargo Foundation,  Your financial  commitment and partnership help to make a real difference in the lives of children, teens, families and organizations in our community navigating loss and grief. We are GRATEFUL for YOU!