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Kathy
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« on: January 31, 2010, 08:13:56 AM » |
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The Compassionate Friends 2010 National Conference July 2-4 ~ Arlington Virginia "Reflections of Love, Visions of Hope" is the theme of The Compassionate Friends 33rd National Conference which will be held in Arlington Virginia July 2-4, 2010. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City promising a beautiful venue for the 33rd TCF National Conference. Independence Day will not only feature our Walk to Remember, but will include a world-class display of fireworks over the National Mall, visible from Arlington.
Unsolicited comments from Compassionate Friends who attended the 32nd National Conference held in Portland:It was an amazing experience. I was in a very dark, sad place when I left home to fly to Portland. When I came home, I felt a glimmer of hope in the possibilities. I learned so much. Met some sweet, caring people. At the risk of sounding overly dramatic, it changed me. Thank you, my Compassionate Friends._______________
Best thing I've ever done! Thank you to all the friends I made at the conference. You all inspire me! The memory boards were overwhelming. It was easy to only see the face of my own grief. Now I see all the beautiful faces of yours. I will forever be linked to you. I love you.
Reserve Your Hotel Accommodations Now! To reserve room http://www.crystalcity.hyatt.com/groupbooking/wasrccomp2010 You can now be among the first to reserve hotel accommodations at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, host hotel for The Compassionate Friends 33rd National Conference in Arlington, Virginia July 2-4. Reserve your accommodations online at Hyatt Regency Crystal City. Room rates are $129 for single or double occupancy, $154 for triple and $179 for quad. These are specially negotiated rates available only to those attending the national conference. For those wishing to make reservations by telephone, please call 1-800-233-1234 and specify you are with The Compassionate Friends.TCF National Conferences: Find Friendship, Understanding, and Hope!A national conference of The Compassionate Friends is unlike any other conference you may ever attend. It is a place where you can go and know that you truly are not alone as you travel your grief journey. Every person comes for the same reason—a child has died. It is a place where “friendship, understanding, and hope” are more than just words.
For over three decades The Compassionate Friends has held national conferences in different locations, from the east coast to the west coast, from north to south. Today it’s normal to have 1100-1400 bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents attend. Of that number, it usually is the first TCF National Conference for nearly 40 percent of the attendees. Those new to TCF conferences are given a special butterfly sticker to wear so that others may notice and give them special hugs. Everyone feels they are in a place where they belong. We often say that those at the conference are friends you simply have not yet met.
At each conference, there are many activities, but you decide what is right for you. There are more than 100 workshops (but don’t think these are work—they’re really a time for learning and sharing). Many areas of grief are covered by the workshops. There are workshops for bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents. And there will be many workshops for those who have no surviving children. You’ll find a hospitality room, a reflection room, the Butterfly Boutique, and a complete and stocked bookstore. There are very interesting and well-known speakers who address the Opening Session, the Friday afternoon banquet, the Saturday evening banquet, and the Sunday closing. You’ll marvel at the quality of entertainment geared for those attending. There’s also a special candle lighting ceremony to conclude the Saturday evening banquet. If you like a more intimate time with others, join in the evening sharing sessions of your choice.
But don’t miss the Walk to Remember Sunday at 8 a.m. prior to the closing. As many as 1300-1400 carry the names of more than 10,000 children from across the country who will always be remembered. Some fly in from across the country just to participate in the Walk!
Watch here, in the national e-newsletter, our Facebook Page, or We Need Not Walk Alone for updated information on the next TCF National Conference.
Find out for yourself why notes are received after our conferences that echo these we received:
"The conference was a drink of water for my soul. Thank God for TCF and all the wonderful people who give of themselves to make it all happen. Thank you!!!"
"I always feel like I’m wrapped in a cocoon of compassionate love when I’m at a TCF National Conference. This is one of the greatest healing tools available to a bereaved family."
Visit The Compassionate Friends Web Site http://www.compassionatefriends.org/News_Events/TCF_National_Conferences.aspx |
