VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO SUPPORT TAPS SEMINAR & GOOD GRIEF CAMP FOR FAMILIES OF FALLEN MILITARY OVER MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
One-Day Volunteer Opportunities Available May 24-28 Helping the Families of our Fallen Military
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 4, 2012
WASHINGTON – Over Memorial Day Weekend May 25-28, families of our fallen military will attend the 18th annual TAPS National Military Survivor Seminar & Good Grief Camp, being held at a hotel in Crystal City, Va. Among them will be mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters, sisters and brothers – who are grieving the death of someone who served in the Armed Forces. Individual volunteers, organizations and groups are still needed to assist with the event. More than 100 volunteers are still needed.
WANTED: VOLUNTEERS TO SUPPORT SURVIVING FAMILIES OF OUR FALLEN MILITARY
Anyone can volunteer to help the families of our fallen military. TAPS is seeking individual volunteers, groups, or organizations, who can fill the following roles:
- Thursday, May 24, 11:00am-3:00pm – help set up for TAPS Good Grief Camp – 8-10 people needed
- Thursday, May 24, 10:00am-2:00pm, 1:00pm-3:00pm – help set up for the TAPS National Military Survivor Seminar – 6-8 people
- Thursday, May 24, 6:00pm-9:00pm – greet families, assist registration desk – 10 people
- Friday, May 25, 8:00am-1:00pm – greet families, assist registration desk – 10 people
- Friday, May 25, 8:00am-1:00pm – greet families at the hotel, answer questions about the area, direct to registration - 10 people
- Friday, May 25, 6:00pm-11:00pm – excursion escorts on buses taking families to view the Marine Corps Parade, help families on and off the bus, ensure everyone gets on bus before departing – 10 people
- Saturday, May 26, 12:00pm-5:00pm – escort families on the shuttle running between the hotel and Arlington National Cemetery’s section 60 so they can visit gravesites – 2 people
- Sunday, May 27, 9:00am-2:00pm – Good Grief Camp Closing crew – help with packing up camp – 3-5 people
- Sunday, May 27, 5:00pm-11:00pm – escort families on buses to the National Memorial Day Concert at the Capitol, help them find seating, remind them of pickup locations after the event concludes, essential to be independent, find and direct survivors to the TAPS buses when the event ends – 30+ people
- Sunday, May 27, 12:00pm-5:00pm – escort families on the shuttle running between the hotel and Arlington National Cemetery’s section 60 so they can visit gravesites – 2 people
- Sunday, May 27, 6:00pm-10:00pm – help pack the TAPS registration desk, store and supplies – 8-10 people
- Monday, May 28, 7:00am-2:00pm - Escort survivors on buses going to Arlington National Cemetery and the national Memorial Day observances. Help direct them once at the cemetery onto second set of buses to amphitheater. Stay for the event and at the end, escort survivors back onto buses – 10-12 people
Volunteer Contact: To volunteer for one of these essential jobs during the 18th Annual TAPS National Military Survivor Seminar & Good Grief Camp, contact Jerome Tennille, 202.588.8277, jerome.tennille@taps.org
About the 18th Annual National Military Survivor Seminar & Good Grief Camp
Organized by the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), this four-day weekend event offers a camp for children, workshops for adults, and comfort for the families that have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. It also brings families of our fallen military together in the nation’s capital city as Memorial Day is observed. Over the last three years, the number of survivors attending the annual event has more than doubled. The TAPS Good Grief Camp will be filled with 475 children learning coping skills, working with mentors one-on-one and building a network of support with children their own age and experience with loss. Hundreds of widows, parents, siblings and others grieving the death of a loved one in service to country will be attending support groups, going to workshops and connecting with others throughout the weekend who have experienced a similar loss. The increased numbers mean that TAPS relies on capable and supportive volunteers to provide support for the families attending this event.
About TAPS
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the national organization providing compassionate care to anyone grieving the death of someone who served in the military. TAPS provides peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, seminars for adults, Good Grief Camps for children, case work assistance, and a 24/7 resource and information helpline for all who have been affected by a death in the Armed Forces. Services are provided free of charge. Founded in 1994 out of tragedy by bereaved military families, TAPS has offered support to more than 35,000 family members, caregivers and casualty assistance officers. For more information go to www.taps.org or call toll-free 800.959.TAPS.
Media Contact: Ami Neiberger-Miller, Public Affairs Officer, TAPS, phone 202.588.8277, ami@taps.org
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