Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The McKean County American Legion Riders Post 976 out of Crosby, PA, rode to Bradford Regional Medical Center on Saturday, June 8th to deliver their annual donation to the Melissa A. Price McKean County VNA Children’s Bereavement Camp Fund. This fund supports the "Helping Hands Retreat" bereavement day camp. The annual bereavement retreat, which is free of charge, provides emotional counseling and support to children – ages seven though 12 – who are grieving from the loss of a family member, friend or even a family pet. Children with parents going through a divorce, or who have experienced any significant life-altering event, may also attend. The Helping Hands Retreat combines fun events with therapeutic activities, allowing children to recognize the various emotional aspects of the grieving process. The 2012 camp will be held Thursday, June 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Mystic Water Resort in Limestone, NY. Campers can register by calling 814-362-7466. The Legion Ri...

Children between the ages of 7 and 12 who’ve suffered any kind of loss are being urged to attend the free Helping Hands Retreat at Camp Penuel in Eldred on Aug. 13-15. To enable a child to attend the camp, call Bradford Regional Medical Center’s (BRMC’s) McKean County VNA & Hospice office at 814-362-7466 by Aug. 9. “If you know of a child who has experienced the loss of someone close to them, or any other loss that is affecting them, encourage their family to call the VNA,” said Martha Dibble, RN-C, hospice coordinator for VNA & Hospice. “We can accommodate 20 to 25 children at the sixth annual camp that’s filled with fun and meaningful activities,” said Mrs. Dibble. Registration is open to all children, not just those who live in McKean County. Also, “Children who’ve attended before are welcome to come again,” Mrs. Dibble said. Those who return will find new activities have been added. The camp is staffed by full-time VNA staff, a registered nurse, a social worker, a lay minis...