BY BETH PINYERD
FOR THE OBSERVER
OPELIKA —
There is a proverb we hear from time to time: “If you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together.”
On Saturday, April 23, the community went far in the healing outreach to children who have experienced close family loss of love ones. Camp Good Grief was held at the Sportsplex in Opelika. The baseball-themed event was named “Knocking Grief Out of the Park” and the day’s events and activities were a home run in helping children learn to cope with grief.
Upon registration to the event, each child was assigned to a baseball team. They were given a T-shirt that identified their team. Fun activities that ensued included the Starburst game, parade of teams and more coping activities such as journaling.
The Auburn University cheerleaders, Aubie, Auburn University’s mascot and Chick-fil-A’s cow mascot delighted the children, volunteers, staff and others in attendance. A delicious meal was served to the children and volunteers by Chick-fil-A of Auburn. Tyler Stovall, former Auburn football player, was a speaker of encouragement for the children.
The Opelika, Auburn and Lee County community would like to thank Nicole Barkley, Compassus Bereavement Counselor and Compassus staff, for working hard over many months to plan and provide Camp Good Grief to the children and their families. Thank you to the local sponsors: Frederick-Dean Funeral Home& Crematory, Chick-fil-A of Auburn, Tip Top Tree Service LLC, Whistle Stop Bottle and Brew, Hospice Angels Foundation in affiliation with Compassus Living Foundation, Harris Funeral Home, Auburn Flowers and Gifts, Sign World — Auburn and Compassus.