It was a quiet Christmas Eve at Destiny USA in Syracuse, but Hope for Bereaved returned this year and wrapped last-minute gifts in order to help save a life.
The organization that started a little over 40 years ago has seen a lot of changes in the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but one thing that hasn’t changed is its mission.
“A local agency that’s been in business for 43 years and we have never charged for our services. Because the woman that started ‘Hope’ said, if you’re grieving, the last thing you need to worry about is how you’re going to pay for help,” saud Pat Kriesel, office administrator for Hope for Bereaved.
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Hope for Bereaved is a non-profit organization that helps children, teens and adults with grief through counseling services, support groups and other programs. Their gift-wrapping services is just one of the few fundraisers they do throughout the year.
“There’s three agencies that work together and right now it’s Hope for Bereaved, Clear Path for Veterans and the National Council for Negro Women and we have three different stations around the area,” Kriesel said.
The money raised is split three ways, along with purchasing their supplies for the following year. Hope for Bereaved uses their proceeds for counseling services and other programming throughout the year.
“We did cut our hours. We’re not doing as much as we used to do, but it’s great and people have been so friendly. I think everybody is happy to be out,” Kriesel said.
Coming back this year, gift wrapping services were only available Thursday through Sunday for the first three weeks of December. Kriesel said it has been a positive change for their volunteers and they will look at doing it again next year.
“It’s all good and it’s Christmas,” Kriesel said.
