Ray of Hope Fundraising Celebration

Press Release From Laura Soll, Public Relations – Carmon Community Funeral Homes, (860) 688-4499 or lsoll@aol.com:

MARY’S PLACE - A CENTER FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN & FAMILIES PRESENTS “RAY OF HOPE” FUNDRAISING CELEBRATION

September 22 Event in The Atrium of the Goodwin Hotel

WINDSOR, CONN., SEPTEMBER 7, 2011 – An organization that provides support and hope to grieving children and families in Connecticut and Massachusetts invites the public to a special fundraising social event. Mary’s Place - A Center for Grieving Children & Families will host its “7th Annual Ray of Hope Celebration” on Thursday, September 22 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in The Atrium of the Goodwin Hotel at Goodwin Square in Hartford, Conn. This is the first time in the nonprofit organization’s 15-year history that it is holding this major event in Downtown Hartford. The event includes fine food, live music, a silent auction, free parking, and a cash bar will be available. The emcee for the evening will be Jacques Lamarre, Director of Communications and Special Projects at The Mark Twain House & Museum.

Mary’s Place - A Center for Grieving Children & Families is located at 6 Poquonock Avenue in Windsor, Conn. and was the first building of its kind in the state with space dedicated entirely to this purpose. Established in 1996, the center offers grieving children, teens and families a place to share their experiences receive support and find comfort. Mary’s Place does not charge for services nor does the organization receive any state or federal funding. The center relies solely on donations and fundraising to operate.

"Mary’s Place was created to provide a safe place for children and families who have experienced the death of a parent or sibling,” explains Executive Director Lisa Peluso, RN. “At our center, children and families are allowed and encouraged to share feelings and emotions they can’t express anywhere else. By being with others who have had a similar experience they recognize they are not alone and find hope after their unbearable loss,” Peluso says. Mary’s Place also offers a support group for young widows and widowers and is a resource to the community. 

An annual Ray of Hope Award is presented at this event. This award recognizes an individual or individuals for outstanding lifetime contributions to Mary’s Place; demonstrating a passion and commitment to the center and exemplifying the spirit of the center. This year, the Ray of Hope Award will be presented to the Carmon Family of Carmon Community Funeral Homes. It was with the help of the Carmon Family’s vision that Mary’s Place was established. Their ongoing support and generosity over the past 15 years has been essential to the many children, teens and families who have found comfort and hope at the center.

Tickets for the Thursday, September 22 “Ray of Hope Celebration” are $100 per person; sponsorships that include tickets start at $300. Reservations and sponsorships must be purchased in advance by calling Mary’s Place, A Center for Grieving Children & Families at (860) 688-9621 or www.marysplacect.org