TAPS Atlanta Regional Seminar Brings Together Surviving Military Families
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 10, 2016
ATLANTA - The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) will connect families and loved ones of America's fallen military at its Atlanta Regional Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp Aug. 12-14. The weekend of healing will provide 250 surviving family members with resources, coping skills and connections to others grieving a similar loss.
Surviving children in attendance will take part in the TAPS Good Grief Camp where they will be paired one-on-one with military mentors for the weekend. Mentors volunteer their time to provide individual support to grieving military children, reconnecting the children back to military life.
Volunteers and representatives from the Atlanta Falcons, Coca-Cola, Home Depot and UPS will attend the seminar, welcoming families of the fallen during registration and participating in the Good Grief Camp Zone on Friday night, during the Saturday workshops and the balloon release on Sunday afternoon where families will send notes of love to their heroes.
"Our volunteers, from the Good Grief Camp Mentors to corporate sponsor teams, are vital to supporting the mission of TAPS," said Bonnie Carroll, TAPS President and Founder and 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. "TAPS is a family and we are honored our sponsors are part of it."
The TAPS Atlanta Regional Seminar is an opportunity for not only the military but also the larger community to experience the support available to all those who are grieving, including access to resources and information about coping strategies. Media may share that the book, "Healing Your Grieving Military Heart," is available for all who are interested in learning more about coping with a loss, and media may request additional "tips for coping" to accompany coverage as a side bar.
To request a copy of the book, "Healing Your Grieving Military Heart," please email info@taps.org.
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY:
TAPS Good Grief Camp Zone - Interview volunteers from Coca-Cola as they engage with TAPS kids for Olympic-themed games. Saturday, Aug. 12, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport North, 1380 Virginia Ave., Atlanta, GA
TAPS Good Grief Camp - Interview service members who have volunteered their time to be with children of fallen military. Saturday, Aug. 12, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport North, 1380 Virginia Ave., Atlanta, GA
TAPS Family Dinner - Get footage of families as they strengthen the bonds formed during the weekend and interview representatives from the Atlanta Falcons, Home Depot and Coca-Cola. Saturday, Aug. 13, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Holiday Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport North, 1380 Virginia Ave., Atlanta, GA
Balloon release - Take footage and photos as families release balloons with messages of love to their heroes and interview UPS volunteers. Saturday, July 30,from 1:30 to 2 p.m., at the Holiday Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport North, 1380 Virginia Ave., Atlanta, GA
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW:
Bonnie Carroll, TAPS President and Founder
Kyle Harper, TAPS Chief Officer of Strategy and Communications
Kimberly Taylor, TAPS Survivor Event Family Liaison
Jonathan Kirkendall, TAPS Youth Programs Manager
TAPS Good Grief Camp Mentors
Corporate sponsor representatives
Surviving military families
MEDIA RSVP:
Contact Kelly Griffith at kelly.griffith@taps.org or 202.588.TAPS (8277) to attend the seminar. Please make sure to note if you'd like to attend another part of the seminar other than the suggested interview opportunities.
ABOUT TAPS:
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the national organization providing compassionate care for the families of America's fallen military heroes and has offered support to more than 60,000 surviving family members of our fallen military and their caregivers since 1994. TAPS provides peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, healing seminars and retreats for adults, camps for children, casework assistance, connections to community-based care, online and in-person support groups and the 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline at 800.959.TAPS (8277) available for all who have been affected by a death in the Armed Forces. Services are provided free of charge. For more information go to www.taps.org or call TAPS at 202.588.TAPS (8277).