Support
the Center

Because of our generous supporters, we’re able to offer our services to thousands of families free of cost. We can’t thank you enough -- without your help, we couldn’t do the work that we do.

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Volunteer
Opportunities

Peer Support Group
Facilitator

Facilitators work with children and their families one evening per week in the Bereavement and TLC programs, and one afternoon a week in the Intercultural Program.

  • Volunteer Facilitators are asked to make a commitment of one-year.
  • All facilitators must complete an intensive 30+ hour training. Volunteers in the Intercultural Program receive additional training.
  • To ensure the safety of our families and volunteers, background checks are conducted.
  • Facilitators must be at least 18 years old.

Interested in learning more? Click below to view the next dates we will be holding our information sessions.

Volunteer Application
See ORIENTATION dates

Additional Ways to Volunteer

All volunteers must first attend an information session. Check out the schedule of upcoming dates below.

Philanthropy & Special Events

Events are a key way we raise funds and visibility for the Center’s services. Helping with these events includes projects leading up to and during events. Some of our major events include the Auction & Dinner Gala, TD Beach to Beacon, our Golf Tournament, the MidSummer Night’s Soiree, and running events throughout the year.

Office Support

General support is always needed, from helping with mailings, data entry, filing, answering phones, organizing group rooms or closets, and working on special projects. We have a use for any time or skill you would like to contribute. If you have a special gift, such as art, marketing, graphic design, or fundraising, please let us know! Some volunteers will even organize small fundraising events. Fun ideas are always welcome!

Board of Directors

The Center is proud of its talented board of directors who are heavily involved in fundraising, promoting the organization, and cultivating donors. They bring a variety of abilities and experience to the Center, give counsel, and are connectors within our community. They bring their passion to move the Center’s mission forward for the children, teens, families and community.

Contact Anne Heros at Anne@cgcmaine.org to share your interest in Board Opportunities

Let’s get started!

The first step for those interested in volunteering in ANY capacity at the Center, is to attend a one-hour information session (dates listed to the right). Email volunteer@cgcmaine.org to register! You may complete the volunteer application below prior to attending, or just come to the session to learn more.

30 hour Facilitator trainings to prepare individuals to facilitate in Center peer support groups happen numerous times throughout the year. Below is the next training schedule. Videos will be assigned to watch between some sessions. In-session times are approximate (most weeknight sessions will end earlier) and will be finalized when we have the agenda. Training sessions are being held virtually via Zoom.

March 2024 - Facilitator Training, Weekdays on zoom. Saturdays in-person at the Center

Tuesday, March 12th: 5:30-7:30
Thursday, March 14th: 5:30-7:30
Saturday, March 16th: 9:00-3:00
Tuesday, March 19th: 5:30-8:30
Thursday, March 21st: 5:30-8:30
Saturday, March 23rd: 9:00-3:30

May 2024 Facilitator Training, Weekdays on Zoom. Saturdays in Person at the Center

Tuesday, May 7th: 5:30-7:30
Thursday, May 9th: 5:30-7:30
Saturday, May 11th: 9:00-3:00
Tuesday, May 14th: 5:30-8:30
Thursday, May 16th: 5:30-8:30
Saturday, May 18th: 9:00-3:30

Please note: In addition to these sessions, videos will be assigned which need to be watched between some sessions. The in-session times are approximate (most weeknight sessions will end earlier) and will be finalized closer to the training.

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

Volunteer Information Session (VIS) Schedule

  • Wednesday, February 28 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday, March 14 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday, March 20 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
  • Monday, March 25 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Location: Virtual

Other
Ways to Give

Bill Hemmens Legacy Society

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Bill Hemmens Legacy Society

We all want to know that we have made a difference in our lifetime, especially for a cause that is close to our hearts. By joining the Bill Hemmens Legacy Society, you can ensure that
the Center is here to meet children’s and families’ need for grief support far into the future.

By joining the Bill Hemmens Society, you create a lasting gift of hope for grieving children and families.

The Society is named in honor of Bill Hemmens, who founded the Center following the death of his sister. In trying to find help for his niece Erin, Bill recognized that children need peers and caring adults to support them through their grief, because death profoundly affects every aspect of their lives.

For further information about the Bill Hemmens Society, please contact Lisa Morin, Director of Philanthropy, at 207.775.5216 or lisa@cgcmaine.org.

Give in Memory

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Give in Memory

Gifts made in memory of a loved one are a special honor for the Center to receive. Those who give them say it’s comforting to contribute to our support of children and families experiencing loss.

The Center also accepts tribute gifts that honor a living person or mark a special occasion such as a wedding, birth, anniversary, birthday, or graduation.

The Center will also send an acknowledgement of your gifts to the person or the family of the person whose life or occasion you memorialized or honored.

 

For further information about making a gift in memory, please contact Lisa Morin, Director of Philanthropy, at 207.775.5216 or lisa@cgcmaine.org.

Star Memorial Wall Donation

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Star Memorial Wall Donation

Our Star Memorial Wall is a home for golden stars shining on a purple-tinged wall, in memory of loved ones. It is located at the Center in the room where families gather for an evening’s opening circle.

The wall was inspired by the story, The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. The little prince learns he can recall happy memories of a friend who has died by looking up at the night sky “as if all the stars were laughing.”

For a donation of $250 or more, the Center will arrange to have a Memorial Star inscribed with the name of someone you want to memorialize. The star becomes a permanent part of the wall—a wall inside a building that can be filled with the emotions of grief but also happy memories and laughter. There’s a lot of laughter heard at the Center at night, as if all our stars on our wall are laughing.

Purchase a star as an individual—like the child who did just that with the money she asked friends to give her as a birthday present—or with contributions from a group of people.

If you would like to purchase a star, or want additional ideas for doing so, please contact Lisa Morin, Director of Philanthropy, at 207.775.5216 or lisa@cgcmaine.org.

Become a Corporate Partner

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Become a Corporate Partner

Our Corporate Partners support all we do here at the Center. These companies support our peer support programs, our community outreach, facilitator trainings, and more—and ensure that all of our services remain available to children and families at no cost, for as long as they need them.

Thank you to our Corporate Partners!

Our Corporate Partners provide year-round support to our Center families. This personal and fully customizable partnership allows companies offers numerous recognition opportunities throughout the calendar year while helping to ensure our services remain available to families at no cost. To learn more about our Corporate Partnership program or individual event sponsorships, please contact: Emma@cgcmaine.org

To see our upcoming sponsorship opportunities, check out our events.

Wish List

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Wish List

Gift Cards

  • Artists and craftsman
  • Hannaford
  • Walmart 
  • Staples
  • Best Buy
  • Gas Cards
  • Amazon

Toys & Arts & Crafts

  • LED Candles: unscented, please
  • Arts & Craft Supplies: (No kits please)
  • Big Rolls of Paper: white, brown, and black roofing paper
  • Fimo Soft Polymer Clay
  • Bottles of School Glue & Modge Podge
  • Tape: dispensers, masking tape, scotch tape, duct tape, and colorful tape
  • White t-shirts, pillowcases, & tie-dye supplies
  • Toys – We can accept new toys. We cannot accept used toys.
  • Dress Up Clothes: Child-Size Doctor Coat & toy stethoscope
  • Puppets
  • Soft Foam Balls and Blocks

Cleaning and Household Supplies

  • Cleaning Supplies
  • Cloth Dish Towels
  • Dish Soap & Dishwasher Detergent
  • Coffee & Tea
  • Hand Soap
  • Light Bulbs
  • Napkins
  • 3 or 5 oz paper or plastic cups
  • Paper Plates
  • Paper Towels
  • Tissues
  • Toilet Paper
  • Trash Bags – kitchen size

Office Supplies

  • Office Supplies: 8 ½ x 11 White Laser Printer Paper; 8 ½ x 11 Colored Laser Printer Paper; Green or White Binders (1 Inch Width); Green Folders; Manila File Folders; Notebooks and Notepads; Paperclips; Post-It Notes; Staplers, staples
  • Flip Chart Pads and markers
  • Storage totes/bins
  • Batteries: double or triple A

Garden and Facility

  • New Floor Lamps
  • New Extension Cords and Power Strips
  • New Floor Fans

Please Note:  Items the Center does NOT need: Character Items, Coloring Books, Crafting Kits, Crayons, Used Toys; Board Games and Puzzles, Stuffed Animals; Beanie Babies

If you are interested in donating an item please call the Center at (207) 775-5216 or email us at cgc@cgcmaine.org.

Your Community Event

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Your Community Event

We are so lucky to be a part of a community that wants to give back. We would love to hear from YOU! Should you wish to host a fundraiser, community event, or private reception to benefit the Center, please reach out to Emma at emma@cgcmaine.org. We look forward to making your ideas a reality.

 

Keep up with Our
Community

If you’d like to get involved in supporting the Center for Grieving Children, keep an eye out for our upcoming events and stay up-to-date on the latest news and happenings.

Does your employer participate in community service? We gladly accept volunteer help from local businesses as part of their community giving programs. We fulfill company volunteering hours with projects such as painting, cleaning, organizing, bulk mailing, gardening, and more. If you’re interested in signing your business up for volunteer hours, please contact us. We welcome the opportunity to work with you!

Corporate
Partners

Our Corporate Partners support all we do here at the Center. Their annual gifts support our families year-round through collaborative, entirely customizable campaigns. These partners support our peer support programs, our community outreach, facilitator trainings, and more—and ensure that all of our services remain available to children and families at no cost, for as long as they need them.

Apply Now