Imagine is an organization that I wish never had to exist, but I am so deeply grateful that it does.
I think that you're all aware I became involved with Imagine several years after I lost my son Ryan in 2004. At that time, my daughter Jenna was 14 years old dealing with the loss of her beloved brother. Imagine did not yet exist for Jenna and I witnessed multiple attempts of all the individuals trying to connect but truly struggling to provide her with answers and a path going forward. Observing her daily interactions, I searched within myself and all that surrounded us to find a solution to support Jenna and so many other children in our community.
As you may also know, I serve on the board of this growing and evolving organization, that began in Westfield, NJ, and serves families from 85 towns in NJ. Imagine provides free, year-round life changing grief support for children and families coping with loss due to death. In addition to providing grief support at their center in Mountainside and recently opened center in Newark, Imagine provides grief education and training to schools, agencies, and workplaces, and on-site support after any traumatic loss.
Greta’s Run was founded in memory of Greta Schoenemann, a Westfield High School freshman, who died from injuries sustained after a tree branch fell on her and her classmates during lunch. Her story, and the stories of many more loved ones we’ve lost too soon, are part of what makes Greta’s Run for Imagine so special.
Donations toward my fundraising page, in remembrance of Ryan, help Imagine provide free, year-round grief support to children, young adults and families, dealing with the death of a parent, sibling or child. With our help, Imagine can continue transforming grief and loss into resilience, empathy, and compassion for the 2,000 children and adults it serves annually.
I'm honored and humbled by the consideration of this worthy event in anything that you can contribute, no matter how large, no matter how small.
All my love and gratitude,
Scott
