FRE E
ENNY SAVE P R EAGLE NEWS
WORK
MAY 25, 2016
BUY SELL TRADE GET IT DONE
Run or walk for HOPE Fundraiser helps organization help those who are grieving
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“It is our hope that this fundraiser will not only raise awareness for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, but will keep Tony’s memory alive in our hearts, as well as in the hearts of the community he loved so dearly.”
By Tami Scott
my Dannible was searching for an anniversary gift to give her mom, Judy, when she first learned of HOPE for Bereaved, a nonprofit organization that provides support, resources and hope for grieving children, adults and families. She was talking to a co-worker who serves on its board when HOPE’s Butterfly Garden and its memorial bricks were mentioned. Dannible’s father, Anthony “Tony” Dannible, had recently died, so Amy thought an engraved brick to honor her dad might be the perfect present. As time passed, Amy became more acquainted with HOPE. She attended various fundraising events, met more people associated with the nonprofit, and eventually arranged for her father’s company, Dannible and McKee, LLP, to become the presenting sponsor of HOPE’s annual 8K Run/3K Walk. “[Our father] was very selfless and very giving,” said Amy, who has two siblings, Christy and Tom. “We’re trying to honor his memory and also make people aware of the resource [available] here.” Had she known of HOPE at the time of her dad’s death, Amy said she would have undoubtedly involved her kids, particularly her 9-year-old son who took his grandfather’s death so hard he was having trouble focusing in school and in daily life. HOPE offers support groups specifically for children, and helps them to understand they are not alone. “What [HOPE] offers to so many people is something that is needed, because you’ve got to talk to somebody,” said Amy, who acknowledged that her mom has not yet been able to bring herself to a meeting. But she encourages anyone who is grieving, including her mom, to take the first step and go. “Everybody involved [at HOPE] has lost someone.
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The Dannible Family (from the Team Dannible & McKee fundraising page at runsignup.com)
It’s hard because you feel like ‘oh, I don’t want to go in there and talk about anything,’ but, you know what, those same people are going through the same thing … [go] even if you don’t say anything and just listen.” Thanks to HOPE’s help and support, her son, she said, is now in a much better place. “We want to get so many people to know about HOPE that [the run/walk] ends up at Onondaga Lake Park,” she said. “[HOPE] helps everyone.”
When the ‘unthinkable’ happens
In a span of just four months, two people that meant the world to Tracy Derrenbacher had died — her sister and her son. “Tricia’s sudden loss forced me to confront intense grief [that] I had never experienced before,” said Derren-
bacher, of Cicero. “Then, the unthinkable happened and our ‘ideal’ world was suddenly and inexplicably ripped away.” Seventeen-year-old Reed, a dynamic individual and studentathlete at Westhill High School, committed suicide. “His loss has left a gaping hole HOPE
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Westhill High School studentathlete Reed Derrenbacher, 17, committed suicide in March 2014. His family will participate in HOPE for Bereaved’s annual run/walk on June 12 to honor their son/brother and give back to the nonprofit that has helped them through their grief journey. Courtesy of Tracy Derrenbacher