Dear Friends:

This is a first for me!  Since selling Girl Scout cookies door-to-door decades ago, I have rarely reached out for support for a cause that so personally touched my life...until now.

As many of you know, when Lionel died at the onset of the Pandemic, mandated quarantine kept me apart from family and only a small handful of close friends. Enter, OUR HOUSE, an organization that literally became a life-line for me.  

Founded 30 years ago, OUR HOUSE is considered the Rolls Royce of grief support groups, working with adults, children and teens throughout Los Angeles County, all of whom have lost a loved one and all of whom are brought together within the confines of small groups who are individually matched according to age and the specific loved one who has died...spouse, parent, child, sibling.  In my case, nine very special ladies, all of a "certain age" who had lost a spouse or partner within the year, met via Zoom, every other week for twelve months, aided by two well-trained facilitators.  It was tough going at first, sharing our memories, tears and sorrow with strangers, but as the weeks rolled by, we realized that this was a group of individuals who clearly understood what each of us was experiencing. We became fast friends, even dubbing ourselves "The Solo Sisters."  Our friendship today remains as strong as ever.

All of this leads me to today. I have recently joined the Board of Directors of OUR HOUSE. Through tragedy, I have found a cause for which I'm truly committed.

On Sunday, April 30th, we are hosting our first "WALK 'N' RUN FOR HOPE" in three years at Balboa Park in Encino.  Money raised will assist in providing a host of additional grief support services including Child and Adolescent Programs (in-house and school programs, on-site grief response and Camp Erin-LA); Adult Programs (in-house groups, adult virtual program and a Spanish satellite program) and medical and community education, among a host of other initiatives.

I have formed my own group for the event called "The Solo Sisters" and I would be extremely grateful if you would contribute to our fundraising.

Naturally, I would love to have you join us for the event (I intend to saunter) by joining my team through the button on the right side of this page or you can simply donate directly to this wonderful event.

Above all, sincere thanks for your ongoing friendship.

With love,

Katy