Inside:

1119 Oxmoor Road | Homewood, AL 35209 | Tel 205-870-8667 | Fax 205-870-4652 | www.communitygriefsupport.org

Autumn 2012

Second WindLike a marathon runner, the bereaved have hit an invisible wall. Slowly, but surely, we’re gaining our “Second Wind”

9th Annual “Lift Your Spirits” Benefit Dinner & Auction - Oct. 11

Casey has a winning heritage and a personal understanding of grief. In 2004, his father, Sammy Dunn, died of stomach cancer. It was one of the few losses in Sammy’s 27-year winning career as baseball coach for Vestavia Hills High School. Casey’s accomplishments as both a player and as a coach are a fitting tribute to his father’s legacy.

Casey’s teams have been breaking records ever since he was named Sam-ford University’s head baseball coach in August 2004. This year, he led Samford to the Southern Conference championship and their first-ever NCAA postseason tournament appearance. A record seven players were selected in the 2012 Major League Baseball draft.

Responding to popular request, our benefit dinner and auction will again be held at Park Lane in Mountain Brook. Complimentary valet parking is provid-ed. Visit with friends as you enjoy hospitality and a silent auction, a delicious buffet dinner by Kathy G, and a rousing live auction led by Granger Thagard! Table sponsorships are still available, but going fast -- a great way to make sure you get to sit with friends and give us a little extra help at the same time.

New Counselors 2 Fall Support Groups 2

Birdies Earns Bonus 3

Around the Community 3

Major Supporters 4Natalie Portera, Anne Hightower, Pam Franklin, Gina Pearson and Barbara Moore at LYS Planning Meeting.

Auction items are pouring in and we are on track to exceed the $38,000 raised last year. Want a “sneak peak”? How about a week at St. Andrew’s in Scotland, a couple of Gulf Coast condo vacations, Auburn and Alabama packages with tickets, autographed footballs and artwork, a gift certificate from Diamond’s Direct, fine wines, fine jewelry, fine dining at Birmingham’s best -- and the list goes on . . . (cont’d p.2)

Important Dates!“Lift your Spirits” -- Oct. 11

“Hope for the Holidays”

Nov. 1 - Mt. Brook Nov. 3 - Ensley

Casey Dunn, Head Coach for Samford University Base-ball, has honored his father’s memory in ways few of us can achieve. We are privileged to honor Coach Dunn at our 9th Annual “Lift Your Spirits” Benefit Dinner and Auction, Thursday, October 11, from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Enjoying dinner at last year’s LYS (L-R) are Debra Lacher, Jessica Vaughnan, Mike McEachern and Connie Rhodebeck.

Coach Casey DunnNov. 17 - Homewood

General Loss - EnsleyThursdays, 6-7:45 pmFall: Sept 6 - Nov 15

Spousal Loss - Mountain BrookThursdays, 2-3:30 pmFall: Sept 27 - Dec 13

General Loss - North ShelbyThursdays, 6-7:45 pmFall: Sept 10 - Nov 12

Loss of Adult Child - HomewoodMondays, 6-7:45 pmFall: Sept 10 - Nov 12

Loss of Parent, Grandparentand Sibling - Homewood

Thursdays, 6-7:45 pmFall: Sept 6 - Nov 15

Retired Widowed - HomewoodWednesdays, 10-11:45 am

Fall: Sept 5 - Nov 7

Widowed Persons ofEmployable Age - Homewood

Tuesdays, 5-7:45 pmFall: Sept 4 - Nov 13

To register, call 205.870.8667

2012 Fall Support Groups

Second Wind NewsletterAutumn 2012, Page 2

“Lift Your Spirits” Cont’d...This delightful evening is being planned by our Benefit Committee: Maureen Alexander, Tina Barkers, Sarah Barnett, Shelley Berman, Linda Brassell, Jim Chomicz, Marla Corts, Nicole Fortune, Pam Franklin, Pam Griese, Loretta Her-ring, Anne Hightower,

Gathering to prepare invitations are: Laudan Khalid, Mary Nell Crocker, Natalie Portera, Barbara Traylor, Jim Chomicz, Sandy Craft, Sharon Ponder, Marla Corts and Carol MacMillan.

Support Group Candidates?Who do you know who is deal-ing with the pain of the loss of a loved one? If you were helped at CGSS, why not reach out and share your experience with them? Remember how hard it was to take that step? Encourage them to get in touch – or better yet, offer to come with them the first time.

CGSS helps more than 1200 folks a year – and half of them came at the suggestion of someone who cared. Here’s our Calendar – share it today!

Meet Our New CounselorsWhen the demand for our services doubled, we began looking for new tal-ent to help us respond. We are delighted to introduce three young, ener-getic counselors – Jacques Austin, Cheryl Lewallen and Margie Slaughter – who recently joined us and are already providing counseling and facilitating support groups.

Jacques is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor and completed his graduate work at UAB. He works primarily with clients in the Ensley area and leads the general loss group at The Bethesda Life Center. Jacques worked with The D.A.Y. Program in Alabaster for 12 years where he developed their Anger Management program, provided counseling and facilitated groups there and at the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center.

Cheryl holds a master’s degree in Marriage and Fam-ily Counseling from the University of Montevallo. She is an Associate Licensed Counselor, a National Certified Counselor, and is working toward full licensure. Cheryl has counseled at Oasis Counseling for Women and at the Alethia House Women’s Hope program. She has a special interest in adult survivors of childhood trauma and issues related to grief.

Margie also holds a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from the University of Montevallo as well as a law degree from the University of Alabama. She practiced law for six years until her heart led her to the counseling field. Margie holds a Marriage and Family Therapy Associate’s license and has had a private therapy practice since January 2010. She worked as a volunteer chaplain for Shelby Baptist Medical Center.

Chuck King, Cheryl Lewal-len, Bob Logan, Carol MacMillan, Donna Mc-Nulty, Peggy Miller, Barbara Moore, Susan Nichols, Gina Pearson, Natalie Portera, Betty Riddlesperg-er, Tom Smith, Terrell Spen-cer, Steve Sweatt, Barbara Traylor, Annella Waldrup and Ann Whitaker.

For reservations, to donate to the auctions or for more information, please call 870-8667.

Birdies Effort Earns Bonus!

Second Wind Newsletter Autumn 2012, Page 3

A great big THANKS to each of you who helped CGSS place 9th (just ahead of Nick’s Kids) among the top ten fund-raisers in the Regions Charity Classic “Birdies for Charity” drive! Through your

In Memory of Given byLeonard Brasher Sue BrasherHelen P. Dalesandro Anthony F. Dalesandro“Dolly” Joe BynumJudy Eslami Laudan KhalidRuth Harris Christina AndersonRuth Harris Sandra CraftRuth Harris Rhonda RutledgeHerman Harper Iris DixonCharles A. Gary Sharron Gary-JohnsonChristopher Scott Lower Dana LowerWilliam H. MacMillan, III Carol MacMillanWilliam H. MacMillan, III Collin MacMillan Thomas M. Oliver Debra Jasper LacherLesley M. Sewell Rosalyn SewellErika M. Wright O. Robinson

In Honor of Given byJohn Harris Christina AndersonCarol MacMillan Jerry LangMary Roebuck Leon Nolen, IIIQuittie Wilson John Bennett

“Hope for the Holidays” has Three Dates/LocationsGrieving is hard and holidays and special days often make it harder. This year, we offer three opportunities for folks who are grieving the loss of a loved one to learn practical ways to find hope for and cope with life’s celebrations – not just from Thanksgiving through New Year’s, but for all those special days that touch our hearts. These are free, community service programs. Our Clinical Director, Steve Sweatt, LPC/LMFT, will be the keynote speaker and moderate a panel discussion. You’re invited to bring a small photo of your loved one to place on our Remembrance Table. Family and friends are welcome.

Select a date now. Check our website in October for details.For reservations, call 870-8667.

Thursday, November 1, 2012 from 2:00-4:00 pm Canterbury United Methodist Church -- Mountain Brook

Saturday, November 3, 2012 from 9:30 am-Noon The Bethesda Life Center -- Ensley

Saturday, November 17, 2012 from 9:00 am-Noon Dawson Memorial Baptist Church -- Homewood

Tribute Donations

Around the Community

Beverly Anderson (L) and Delita Ogunsola (R) present a plaque to Carol MacMillan for key-noting the Woodland Park Church of Christ Bereavement Seminar.

Dr. Cory Newman conducts Suicide Prevention seminar cosponsored by CGSS and Canterbury Counseling Center.

generosity and a down-to-the-wire blitz in August, CGSS raised a total of $8,913. That earned us $500 in bonus bucks from Red Diamond for a total of $9,413 – money that will help fund grief coun-seling sessions for 60 people or two 10-week support group sessions.If it wasn’t for your support, CGSS would have missed out on the bonus. This was a great effort and we want you to know that YOU ARE THE WINNERS IN OUR BOOK!

Goodbye to Ruth HarrisThe Board and staff extend their deepest sympathy to CGSS counselorJohn Harris at the passing of his beloved wife, Ruth Groover Harris.

Sincere Thanks to our Major Supporters:

Alabama Power FoundationBrasfield & Gorrie, LLCThe Caring FoundationCanterbury United Methodist ChurchCathedral Church of the AdventChrist the King Lutheran ChurchDaniel Foundation of AlabamaDawson Memorial Baptist ChurchGoodrich Foundation Hill Crest Foundation

Charles E. Alexander, D.D. Th.M.,M.Div.Former Executive Director, UnitedMethodist Pastoral Care and Counseling, Inc.

Linda BachusCivic Leader

Carlton BakerRetired Group PresidentBellSouth

Peggy G. BallietCivic Leader

Dr. Neal BertePresident EmeritusBirmingham-Southern College

Judge Sharon L. BlackburnJudge, US District Court

Mrs. Lois A. CaldwellParish NurseCanterbury United Methodist

Charles ChambleeFormer PartnerErnst & Young (Retired)

Dr. Doug DortchSenior MinisterMountain Brook Baptist Church

Most Rev. David E. Foley, D.D.Catholic Diocese of Birmingham

Second Wind NewsletterAutumn 2012

Directors and Officers

ChairmanRobby E. Owens

District Attorney, Shelby County

Vice ChairmanCharles “Chuck” King

Retired ExecutiveVulcan Materials Company

SecretaryNeal L. Schooley, D. Min.,

Th.M., M. Div.Retired Associate Pastor

Dawson Memorial Baptist Church

TreasurerGerard Kassouf, CPA

Kassouf and Company

Maureen AlexanderChild Nutrition Program Coordinator

Shelby County Schools

George BartleFuneral Director, Ridout’s Valley Chapel

Beth ChapmanSecretary of State, Alabama

Marla CortsCivic Leader

Sandra CraftRetired Assistant Professor of Nursing

Samford University

John P. Darnall, IIIRetired Executive Vice-President

Brasfield & Gorrie, L.L.C.

Larry A. DavisGeneral Manager

Empire Refractory Specialists, Inc.

Anne HightowerCivic Leader

Susan JacksonExecutive Director

Rotary Club of Birmingham

Myrna J. PittmanRetired, VP Customer Services

Alabama Power Company

J. Terrell SpencerRetired Physician

Medical Dir, Southern Co. West Region

Bob S. Terry, D. Min., S.T.D.President and Editor, The Alabama Baptist

CGSS Professional Staff:

Steve Sweatt, LPC/LMFTClinical and Agency Director

Carol A. MacMillanAdministrative Director

Community Grief Support Service1119 Oxmoor RoadHomewood, AL 35209

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage PaidBirmingham, AL Permit No. 2341

Trudie F. Gruman, RNPain & Palliative Resource NurseSt. Vincent’s Hospital

Dr. Ed Hurley, Senior Pastor South Highland PresbyterianFrank JonesRetired Actuary

Charles Leesburg, CPAPearce, Bevill, Leesburg & Moore, P.C.

Thomas J. Mahoney, AttorneyBaker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell, & Berkowitz

Scott McBrayerMayor, City of HomewoodMgr, Ridout’s Valley Chapel

Charles A. “Scotty” McCallumFormer Mayor, City of Vestavia Hills

Rev. Peggy A. McClurePastor, First Presbyterian Church Trussville

Rabbi Jonathan MillerRabbi, Temple Emanu-El

Barbara MooreRealtor, Realty South

Dr. T. Michael MorganFormer District SuperintendentUnited Methodist NorthAlabama Conference

Thomas I. NelsonRetired Economic Analysis Mgr.Vulcan Materials Company

Right Rev. Henry N. ParsleyEpiscopal Diocese of Alabama

Dr. Tom Rains, ChaplainYMCA of Birmingham

Charles H. “Hack” Sain, P.E.FounderSain Associates, Inc.

Ben Schillaci, CPABoohaker, Schillaci & Co.

Rev. Cannon Craig SmalleyCathedral Church of the Advent

Judge Scott VowellPresiding JudgeJefferson County Courthouse

Dr. Andrew WestmorelandPresident, Samford University

Rebecca WingettRetired CounselorVestavia High School

Odessa WoolfolkFounding President & Chair EmeritaBirmingham Civil Rights Institute

Dr. Ralph YarbroughRetired Chief of MedicineSt. Vincent’s Hospital

Advisory Board

Independent Presbyterian Church Fdtn.Hugh Kaul FoundationRobert Meyer FoundationMountain Brook Baptist ChurchO’Neal Steel, Inc. Advised FundProtective Life FoundationRegions Bank FoundationRichard M. Scrushy FoundationSCI (Ridout’s Funeral Service)

South Highland Presbyterian Church St. Luke’s Episcopal ChurchSt. Vincent’s Health SystemThe Thompson FoundationUAB Faculty & Staff Benevolent FundVestavia Hills United Methodist ChurchVulcan Materials Company Fdtn.Susan Mott Webb Charitable TrustWells Fargo Foundation