Non-profit grief & healing organization dedicated to helping parents and families living with the loss of a child
COPE Newsletter April 2018
The Next Level of Healing is Helping







In this Newsletter
Words from Lilly
Healing Tip
Calendar of Events
COPE Golf Outing
Writing Workshop
COPE Highlights
COPE Book Revue
April Passings
April Birthdays
General Donations


QUICK LINKS
Words from Lilly
COPE President and Founder
 
D ear COPE Families,

I've been talking to the other side for 26 years. This past week, it brought tears to my eyes and pain to my heart to add my mother to that circle of souls.

During the time prior to her passing, I spoke to her even though she wasn’t responding. I didn't know if she heard me as she seemed to be traveling back and forth between worlds. I realized I was already speaking to her soul.

As I laid with her, I was reminded of my conversation in January with a healer in Sedona. She told me we can still hug our loved ones even when they're no longer here. We can even hug a tree. And when we are thinking of them and hugging and holding another, they can feel that love. As I held my mother, I thought of my daughter and hugged them both.

Depleted from grief and the holidays, a time when we miss our loved ones most, we need to fill ourselves with lots of hugs through whomever and whatever we love.

Lilly
COPE President and Founder
 
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HEALING TIP
Breath Awareness
By Clinical Director, Michelle Graff    

Have you ever paused for a moment and observed your breath? Chances are you haven’t noticed, and that you are probably not taking full advantage of one of the most powerful tools you have. Stress plays a significant role in how we breathe. In fact, the more stressed we are, the more shallow our breath becomes.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR APRIL
Monday
Mid-IslandY JCC, 7:00pm

Mid-IslandY JCC, 7:00pm

Frames Bowling Alley, NYC 7:00pm

COPE at Cedarmere 7:00pm

East Meadow Library 7:00pm

Tuesday
Merrick Library 1:00pm

Chai Center in Dix Hills, 7:00pm

Wednesday
in Huntington at 7:00pm

COPE at Cedarmere 1:00pm
Thursday
For established parents at Syosset Public
Library, 7:00pm

12,19,26 Teen Grief Support Group at Rockville Centre Recreation Center 7:00pm

For established parents at Jericho Public Library, 7:00pm

United Methodist Church in Ronkonkoma
7pm

Friday
DASHA Flagship, The Galleria in NYC
6:15pm

Saturday
COPE at Cedarmere 1:00pm

COPE GOLF OUTING
Don't Miss Out!

Date : Monday, May 21
Location : Muttontown Club in East Norwich,
5933 Northern Boulevard, East Norwich, NY

To Celebrate Our Honorees
Jill Martin
Cope Honoree
Today Show Contributor
Knicks Broadcaster
 
Sandra R. Wolkoff, PhD., LCSW-R
COPE Parent & Professional Service Award

Shaun Sharp
COPE Sibling Recognition Award
THE POWER OF THE PEN - A Writing Workshop

Date: Saturday, April 28
Time : 1:00pm-2:30pm
Location: COPE at Cedarmere
Have you experienced the power of the pen? Studies have shown that writing not only promotes mental and emotional clarity, validates our own experiences, but also leads us to a deeper understanding of ourselves and others.

Join us at scenic Cedarmere preserve for an inspirational and healing workshop.
RSVP Required. RSVP to COPE Clinical Director, Michelle Graff at  [email protected] . 
COPE HIGHLIGHTS
BOWL-A-THON
Camp Erin NYC

Date : Monday, April 16th
Location : Frames Bowling Alley, NYC
Time : 7pm-9:30pm

 
We invite you to join us on April 16th 2018 at Frames Bowling Lounge in Port Authority Bus Terminal for the 2018 COPE-Camp Erin NYC Bowl-a-Thon.

The Bowl-a-Thon raises money to help cover the costs of sending 60 campers to Camp Erin NYC for a weekend. Please join us in our fundraising efforts to accomplish this goal. Together we raised $35,000 in 2017, let's do even better this year! 

COPE LABYRINTH

Next to the rose garden, in the Memorial Plaza of Eisenhower Park, is the beautiful and peaceful Labyrinth. Consider honoring your loved one with an engraved brick or bench in this special location.

COPE is now accepting memorial brick and bench orders for the next COPE Labyrinth Dedication.

COPE Foundation's permanent memorial labyrinth in Eisenhower Park’s Memorial Plaza is dedicated to our children, siblings, and loved ones.

To purchase a brick, please print   this form , complete and send back to COPE.

COPE BOOK CORNER
This book was born from a heart that has been broken by the loss of two of Clara Hinton's sons. It is her belief that hearts broken by the loss of a child will always have a void, and there will forever be a longing ache for the child that is no longer here. But, we can and must learn to live in our brokenness. Deep within our hearts are seeds of hope. When we nurture those seeds we will learn how to see life with eyes of love once again.

Please use Amazon Smile: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/46-5391861
Where a percentage goes back to COPE Foundation.
In the month of April, we remember the following loved ones
who were taken from us before their time.
April Passings
1
Beth Luvman (2009, Passing) daughter of Renee Luvman
Sharon Lotter (2012, Passing) daughter of Fran & Bill Monahan
Rochelle Simms (2017, Passing) sister of Andrea Simms
Debbie Fink (2015, Passing) sister of Jessica Fink
2
Sharon Kahn (2009, Passing) daughter of Susan Kahn
Michael Trotta (2014, Passing) son of Jaclyn & Michael Trotta
3
Robert Stevenson (2013, Passing) son of Frances Miller
Zachary Fishfein (2016, Passing) son of Eileen Fishfein
Jaimie Peters (2017, Passing) son of Philip & Linda Okun
Stephanie Rivera (2015, Passing) sister of Brittney Rivera
Terrence R. Joseph (2016, Passing) son of Georgia Grant
4
Nancy Shark (2011, Passing) daughter of Barbara Smart
Michael (Mikey) Ricatto (2011, Passing) son of Laura Failla, brother of John Ricatto
5
Daniel Bahlkow (2017, Passing) son of Valerie Bahlkow
Allyson Slepian (2011, Passing) sister of Shari Slepian
6
Howie Kelman (2015, Passing) son of Bara Kelman
Stephen Marano (2011, Passing) son of Vincent Marano
Bari Swedlow (2009, Passing) daughter of Sheila & Richard Swedlow
Michael Bradley (2015, Passing) son of Kathleen Dwyer
7
Brittany Brophy (2013, Passing) daughter of Edward Brophy
Hope Freed (2012, Passing) daughter of Harriet & Bernard Shurgan
8
Adam Cohen (2009, Passing) son of Marilyn Cohen
Steven Montes (1995, Passing) son of Lucy & Earnie Montes
Sharon Rothstein (2017, Passing) sister of Ellyn Rothstein
9
Monica Valencia (2012, Passing) sister of Julianna Valencia
Rob Weinstein (2010, Passing) son of Phylis Weinstein
10
Mary Cardone (2012, Passing) sister of Emily Cardone
Howie Robinson (1988, Passing) son of Jeff & Harriet Robinson
Aaron Gardner (2010, Passing) son of Sarah Gardner
Yasu Fukuda (2017, Passing) brother of Megumi Fukuda
Bryan Lohr (2011, Passing) son of Barbara Lohr
Brian Hom (2011, Passing) son of Karen & Jim Hom
11
Kenneth Ditzel (2008, Passing) son of Elaine Ditzel
Isaiah Mitchell (2016, Passing) son of Vivonne Mitchell
Judy DeMichael (2012, Passing) daughter of Maryann DeMichael
Kevin Michael Warren, Jr. (2012, Passing) son of Alissa Sorgenfrei
Jenna Baron (2013, Passing) daughter of Jean Pagliughi
14
Jon Anselmo (2010, Passing) son of Joanne Anselmo
Larry Marcus (1983, Passing) son of Sondra Wolfson, brother of Ken Marcus
Laura Lee Flynn (2015, Passing) daughter of Lee Flynn
15
Jacqueline Groody (2014, Passing) daughter of Tammy Groody
Spencer Reis (2012, Passing) son of Jeff & Anita Reis, brother of Ryan Reis
Tricia Neitzel (2009, Passing) daughter of Ralph & Pat Siniscalchi
17
Paul Peter Regan (2012, Passing) son of Maryanne Campbell
Mary Quinn (2015, Passing) daughter of Kathleen & Thomas Quinn
Jessica Lynn Nolan (2009, Passing) daughter of Janet & Tom Nolan
Todd Wirtshafter (2004, Passing) brother of Lisa Robbins
Taylor Cavaliere (2011, Passing) daughter of Dale & Ray Cavaliere,
sister of Jillian Cavaliere, Ray Cavaliere and Andrea Cavaliere 
18
Chistopher Shea (2016, Passing) son of Katie Shea
Andrew Droskoski (2010, Passing) brother of James Droskoski
Karina Haas-Linde (2013, Passing) daughter of Eileen Haas-Linde
Jonathon Pohlen (2013, Passing) brother of Michelle Pohlen
Andre Lamorta (2011, Passing) son of Jean Germano
19
Nicholas Shaw (2008, Passing) son of Carol Shaw
Michael Rizzi (2014, Passing) son of Marisa Rizzi
20
Richard Pusateri (2012, Passing) brother of Steven Pusateri, brother of Jennifer Mirabelli
Harold Goodman (2005, Passing) brother of Joanne Goodman
Melissa McGeehan (2011, Passing) daughter of Joyce McGeehan
Javiera Pagan (2015, Passing) daughter of Selva Herrara-Pagan
Michael Zombeck (2006, Passing) brother of Ricci Zombeck
21
Pamela Ramoutar (2013, Passing) sister of Christina Ramoutar
23
Benjamin Ziegelbaum (2006, Passing) son of Amy Ziegelbaum
Paul Marchese (2016, Passing) son of Laura Verardi
Matthew Harris (2011, Passing) son of Robie & Louis Harris
Victoria Riccardi (2011, Passing) daughter of Judy Riccardi
24
JoAnna Falbo (2005, Passing) sister of Juliana Falbo
25
James Geros (2011, Passing) son of Dianne Geros
John Dougherty (2012, Passing) son of Maryann Kilgannon
26
Thomas Sutton (2014, Passing) son of Betty & Nick Conides
Sean Russo (1996, Passing) son of Genie Salitra Belkin, brother of Shannon Russo-Pollack
27
James Zajicek (2013, Passing) son of Anna Zajicek
Marsha Lazar (Passing) daughter of Adrian Lazar
28
Matthew Feit (2013, Passing) son of Jeffrey Feit
Jodie Niehoff (2012, Passing) daughter of Ruth Rubin
29
Chris Pelliccia (2014, Passing) son of Arlene Darcy
Aidan Seeger (2012, Passing) son of Elisa Seeger
Ryan Rendleman (2008, Passing) son of Teresa Rendleman
30
Sabrina Garfield (2010, Passing) daughter of George Garfield, daughter of Jugnu Garfield
Samantha Schwartz (2006, Passing) daughter of Sheila M Schwartz
Benjamin Weinblad (2011, Passing) son of Ann Weinblad
April Birthdays
1
Luke Petro (1993, Birthday) brother of Kristina Petro
Paul Jacobson (1969, Birthday) son of Diane Parini
Linda Kerman (1967, Birthday) sister of Lisa Kerman
Nathan Nate Nater (1989, Birthday) son of Vera Webber
2
James Romero (2013, Birthday) son of Eileen Romero
Sharon Lotter (1967, Birthday) daughter of Fran & Bill Monahan
4
Bonnie Brafman (1973, Birthday) daughter of Sandra & Stuart Brafman
Daniel Carroll (1989, Birthday) son of Kim Carroll
Kyra Franchetti (2014, Birthday) daughter of Jaqueline Franchetti
Nicole Nogid (1967, Birthday) daughter of Fredda Nogid
Scott Biggart (1985, Birthday) son of Jeanne & Kurt Biggart
David Bleichfeld (1979, Birthday) son of Harriet Bleichfeld
Andre Lamorta (1968, Birthday) son of Jean Germano
5
Karly Meeks (1993, Birthday) daughter of Jennifer Stephens
Eric Britton (1964, Birthday) brother of Laurie Britton
Adam Spizz (1978, Birthday) son of Marika Spizz, son of Alex Spizz,
brother of Jack & Kim Spizz
Ryan Dickinson (1987, Birthday) son of Donna Liebenow
6
Timmy Carr (1954, Birthday) son of Jackie Carr
John Palmiotto (1986, Birthday) son of Tina Palmiotto
Robert Stevenson (1988, Birthday) son of Frances Miller
7
Amir Prizant (1976, Birthday) brother of Ayelet Prizant
Rutger Osterroth (1939, Birthday) father of Karen & Alan Flyer
William H. Long (1986, Birthday) brother of Jen Gaynor
8
Sharon Rothstein (1954, Birthday) sister of Ellyn Rothstein
Boruch Teldon (1978, Birthday) son of Chaya & Rabbi Tuvia Teldon
Kaitlyn Dougherty (1991, Birthday) daughter of Denise Dougherty
Robin Smith (Birthday) daughter of Dolores Long
Douglas Ciullo (1985, Birthday) son of Eileen Simone
9
Anna Finkelstein (1987, Birthday) sister of Katherine Finkelstein
Dana Solomon (1953, Birthday) son of Giovannina Leto
10
Michael Litchford (1973, Birthday) brother of Mollie Vigardt
Reis Schneebalg (2010, Birthday) son of Gina Schneebalg
Matthew Lichten (1991, Birthday) son of Eric Lichten
12
Allison Morales (1971, Birthday) daughter of Marsha Calderon
Troup Risser (1984, Birthday) son of Wendy Holden
Saida Anselma Ann Mendoza (2006, Birthday) daughter of April Mendoza
Nicholas Demaio (1993, Birthday) son of Angela Hansen
Randie Delmont (1966, Birthday) daughter of Shelley & Joel Switko
13
Jim Connelly (Birthday) father of Samantha Connelly
Courtney O'Bryan (1993, Birthday) daughter of Diane & Bill O'Bryan
Spencer Weiss (1993, Birthday) son of Pam and Robert Weiss
14
Tony Ferrante (1980, Birthday) son of Sandy Ferrante
Brandon Dennis (1976, Birthday) son of Michael Dennis
Kenneth Tyler (1995, Birthday) son of Annie Tyler
15
William Grieco (1994, Birthday) son of Chris Grieco
Annie Zygone (1961, Birthday) daughter of Claire Maddox
Michael McNamara (1971, Birthday) son of Robert & Marie McNamara
Johnny Lazar (1989, Birthday) grandson of Adrian Lazar
16
Douglas Webster (1957, Birthday) son of Margery Webster
17
Amanda Henderson (1987, Birthday) sister of Jeanna Henderson
Nikki Kontor (1993, Birthday) daughter of Joann Lombardi
Amanda Henderson (1987, Birthday) daughter of Denise Henderson
18
Bari Swedlow (1968, Birthday) daughter of Sheila & Richard Swedlow
19
Adam Oberlander (1977, Birthday) son of Carol and Norman Oberlander
Jon Anselmo (1987, Birthday) son of Joanne Anselmo
20
Jason T. Micheline (1970, Birthday) son of Stephanie Micheline
21
Thomas Michael Shavel (1972, Birthday) son of Janet Shavel, brother of Joe Shavel
22
Lauren Wilkinson (1983, Birthday) sister of Jesse Wilkinson
Jeffrey Lener (1960, Birthday) son of Sherwin Lener, brother of Susan Lener
Michael Liebowitz (1983, Birthday) brother of Danielle Liebowitz
23
David Cooperman (1975, Birthday) son of Donna Cooperman, brother of Jason & Lindsay Kaufman
Eric Essman (1964, Birthday) son of Sage Essman
24
James William Brown (1959, Birthday) son of Lucy Brown
Scott Magid (1969, Birthday) son of Helaine & Monte Magid
25
Marvin Birnbaum (1949, Birthday) brother of Elaine Birnbaum
Nicholas Shaw (1981, Birthday) son of Carol Shaw
Seena Liff (1954, Birthday) daughter of Eleanor Liff
Woody Zalman (1989, Birthday) son of Debra Berley
Daniel Gordon (1988, Birthday) son of Nancy Shapiro
26
Ashlee Rae Wolk (1984, Birthday) sister of Danielle Bonfanti
Alanna Ambrosio (1991, Birthday) daughter of Arleen Ambrosio, sister of Nicole Ambrosio
Jaryd Bartlette (1993, Birthday) son of Toni Bartlette
Chava Swerdlik (1984, Birthday) daughter of Hadassah Swerdlik
Adam Bruckner (1982, Birthday) son of Paula Bruckner
27
Shana Kay (1986, Birthday) daughter of Jane & Randy Kay
28
Lyla Stern (1993, Birthday) daughter of Howard & Donna Stern
Fedele Amling (1971, Birthday) son of Linda Leone
29
Kenneth Michael Lacks (1964, Birthday) son of Gail Lacks
Jonathan (Yani) Polansky (1994, Birthday) son of Denise & Cory Polansky
Michael Gonzalez (1993, Birthday) son of Alberto Gonzalez
Harrison Horowitz (1988, Birthday) son of Susan Weiss-Horowitz
30
Jessica Lynn Nolan (1986, Birthday) daughter of Janet & Tom Nolan
GENERAL DONATIONS
We thank our generous supporters for making donations to COPE during the month of February: Please click here to view donations made in honor of loved ones (go to Donations March 2018.)
COPE Foundation
PO Box 1251
Melville, New York 11747
516-832-2673