The Rotary Club of Lantzville made an effort to remember the often forgotten mourners.

The club donated $5,000 to Nanaimo Community Hospice’s Expand the Heart of Hospice new home campaign to provide child and youth programs with much-needed equipment.

“Children are often the forgotten mourners,” said Wendy Pratt, Hospice executive director.  “They grieve very differently from adults and sometimes the manifestations of grief in this age group can be confused with poor behaviour.”

Hospice uses age-appropriate approaches, such as creative play and art therapy to give young people the opportunity to better move through loss in a way that allows them to express their feelings and gather tools for facing future losses.

It also provides a website, www.teensanddeath.com, specifically designed for teens to gather formation on their own in a medium with which they are very familiar.

“With talented, tireless staff and caring, committed volunteers Nanaimo Community Hospice does amazing work in our community,” said Joy Cameron, Rotary Club of Lantzville incoming president. “When you need them they are there for you and your family.”

In 2011, Hospice provided more than 500 free counselling sessions to 104 children and adolescents dealing with grief, and provided education and support in the schools for another 190 students.

To give to the Expand the Heart of Hospice campaign, please call 250-758-8857 or go to www.nanaimohospice.com.