Mourning Hope Grief Center Hosts Annual Benefit, Raises Over $55K

More than 250 business and philanthropic leaders, elected officials, community members, and grief professionals joined the Mourning Hope Grief Center (mourninghope.org) at the annual Hope in the Morning breakfast on May 2 at the Country Club of Lincoln. In its 14th year, the invitation-only event raised more than $55,000 for Mourning Hope, an organization that served more than 5,000 people last year through grief support groups, community education, resources, and referrals. Vicki Jay, CEO for the National Alliance for Grieving Children (NAGC,) was the keynote speaker. Sharing their stories of loss and hope were past Mourning Hope participants: Karin, Hunter, and Jackson Kelley; Brit Gunther-Lehman; and Rachel, Keegan, and Kyler Vonderfecht.

The morning’s highlight was the celebration of the 2019 award recipients. The Founders Award was presented to Pam Dinneen in celebration of Mourning Hope’s 25th anniversary. Dinneen founded the organization in September 1994. The Spirit of Hope Award was presented to Mark Medvin, Michelle Skala, and Sue Kittinger. Medvin trained to be a grief group facilitator three years ago and has lead eight groups since. Skala was a Mourning Hope participant following the death of her husband, and has been a grief group facilitator for more than 10 years. Kittinger has volunteered with Mourning Hope for over 20 years, including as a board member, treasurer, and comfort pillow seamstress.

Mourning Hope companions grieving children, teens, young adults and their families when someone significant in their lives has died. Programs and services are available at absolutely no cost to participants. Please visit mourninghope.org or call (402) 488-8989 for more information.