From May 2-9, 2020, Kara will host a virtual fundraising event to raise money for our crucial grief support services for the community. Throughout this event, we will share Daily Videos about Kara's Services, an Event-Opening Video with Allison Gilbert, a Campaign to Support Impact Giving Opportunities, Silent Auctions, and Surprise Drawings, all to directly fund Kara's outreach to the bereaved.

Our Event-Opening Video will feature Allison Gilbert, author of the book Passed and Present: Keeping Memories of Loved Ones Alive. Allison is one of the most thought-provoking and influential writers on grief and resilience. The author of numerous books, her stirring work exposes the secret and essential factor for harnessing loss to drive happiness and rebound from adversity. She serves on the Board of Directors for the National Alliance for Grieving Children and the Advisory Board for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, the preeminent national organization providing grief support to families of America's fallen heroes.

Other books by Allison include Parentless Parents: How the Loss of Our Mothers and Fathers Impacts the Way We Raise Our Children, and Always Too Soon: Voices of Support for Those Who Have Lost Both Parents. She is also co-editor of Covering Catastrophe: Broadcast Journalists Report September 11, the definitive historical record of how broadcast journalists covered that tragic day. Allison is the official narrator of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum's core historical exhibition audio tour, and her voice is introduced by Robert De Niro on the museum's "Witnessing History" tour, the only female journalist to be so honored. She is serving on the Global COVID-19 Relief Coalition to advise on support for people grieving the loss of a loved one without having the closure of physical presence at the end of life or a memorial service following death. With her experience as a journalist during the 9/11 disaster, Allison brings a rich background to her work in the current pandemic.

We are delighted that Allison Gilbert will be the keynote presenter at Kara's 2021 Spring Fundraiser, "The Enduring Power of Memories", on April 24, 2021 at the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center (JCC), 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. Mark your calendars now to join us to celebrate Kara's 45th Anniversary of grief support services for our local communities!

Invite your friends, family, and colleagues to join in this fun and inspiring week of celebration to support Kara. The impact of COVID-19 has meant a dramatic increase in need for Kara's grief services to support emergency workers and first responders, medical staff, and people suffering direct loss due to the coronavirus. We are grateful to have your support.