Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Houston Half Marathon - Run for a Reason

I am running in the Houston Half Marathon on January 13, 2008, and I am representing a local charity called Bo's Place. Bo's Place exists to give support to children who have lost a parent or sibling, and it is Houston's only free of charge grief center for children.

With Christmas fast approaching, I know many of you will be asking what's on my Wish List. Well, I'll tell you: in lieu of gifts at Christmas, I would rather you make a donation to Bo's Place.
To donate, visit my Half Marathon Bo's Place Fundraising Page by clicking here.

Below is some art that was made by the children at Bo's Place. Art plays a major role in the grief process at Bo’s Place. The physical act of drawing and creating can be an emotional release as is the art created. These activities give the child a way to externalize overwhelming emotions in a safe way.

Worry Cloud

The purpose of this activity is to help group members identify worries or concerns they have and connect as a group. The members each have an opportunity to write or draw their worries on the cloud. This allows them to get the concerns out of their head and onto the paper, facilitating conversation with other group members.

Memory Rocks

Children decorate rocks in memory of their lost loved ones.

Broken Pot

Families are given pieces of a broken clay pot. They are asked to write and draw things that are difficult on the inside of the pieces such as holidays, school, scary emotions, or sadness. On the outside, they express what has supported them through these trying times, such as family, friends, etc. As a family, they glue the pieces back together. The broken pot looks like their new life - scarred, rough but held together with strength and support from each other.

Quilt Squares


Quilts line the walls of Bo’s Place that speak of each child’s journey through grief. Children and their parents have the opportunity to make a quilt square memorializing their loved one. The squares are then made into a quilt representing each support group. The commemorative quilts are a lasting reminder of their loved one.

Again, in lieu of gifts at Christmas, I would rather you make a donation to Bo's Place. To donate, visit my Half Marathon Bo's Place Fundraising Page by clicking here. It's simple and secure, and it is for a great cause.

Thanks and God Bless!

Chad

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