HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-05-2003-5bORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: November 5, 2003
Action Agenda
Item No. ~'~j-~
SUBJECT: Grief Awareness Week
DEPARTMENT: County Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proclamation
PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Donna Baker, ext. 2130
Helen Poole, Duke Health Community
Care, 620-3853
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel HiIN 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To consider a proclamation designating November 2 through 8, 2003 as "Grief
Awareness Week" in Orange County.
BACKGROUND: There are approximately 2 million deaths in the United States each year, with
each directly affecting 10-12 family members (excluding good friends and close colleagues).
Grieving is a natural and normal response to death and other losses and is a healthy way for
people to take care of themselves. Cultural traditions and religious institutions have historically
recognized the need for community mourning rituals and individual grief expressions.
All Orange County residents are urged to be sensitive and supportive of their families,
neighbors, friends, and colleagues who are adjusting to a significant loss in their lives, and the
setting aside of a week for grief awareness will enhance solidarity with our human mortality and
our common need for mourning and healing and will promote spiritual, mental, physical, and
emotional health.
Helen Poole with Duke Health Community Care will be present at the meeting to provide any
additional information to the Board.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with the proclamation.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proclamation
designating November 2 through 8, 2003 as "Grief Awareness Week" in Orange County and
authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation.
2
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
GRIEF AWARENESS WEEK -November 2-8, 2003
WHEREAS, there are approximately 2 million deaths in the United States each year, with
each directly affecting 10-12 family members (excluding good friends and close
colleagues), thus having an impact on approximately 20 million people; and
WHEREAS, in North Carolina, there are approximately 72,000 deaths each year; and
WHEREAS, natural disasters like Hurricane Floyd, tragic deaths like those of September
11, 2001, suicides and school shootings touch countless lives and continue to have an
impact long after the initial event; and
WHEREAS, grieving is a natural and normal response to death and other losses and is a
healthy way for people to take care of themselves; and
WHEREAS, cultural traditions and religious institutions have historically recognized the
need for community mourning rituals and individual grief expressions; and
WHEREAS, all Orange County residents are urged to be sensitive and supportive of their
families, neighbors, friends, and colleagues who are adjusting to a significant loss in their
lives; and
WHEREAS, a week set aside for grief awareness will enhance solidarity with our human
mortality and our common need for mourning and healing and will promote spiritual,
mental, physical, and emotional health; and
WHEREAS, we urge all Orange County citizens during this week to remember and
support those who have experienced a significant loss in their lives; and
WHEREAS, we urge all Orange County citizens during this week to participate in
community activities and educational events to increase their own knowledge of the grief
process so that neighborhoods, faith communities, and workplaces can create a more
healing environment for those in grief;
NOW, THEREFORE, do we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, hereby
proclaim November 2na through the 8th as GRIEF AWARENESS WEEK in Orange
County, in recognition of every person's right to grieve in the face of death and loss.
This the 5th day of November, 2003
Margaret Brown, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners