Gilda's Club counsels grieving children

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A change to this year's LaughFest could address a pressing need.

In addition to the comedy festival that benefits Gilda's Club Grand Rapids, the organization is asking for $5 donations which would benefit the organization's Children's Grief Program.

Those $5 donations to LaughFest's High Five drive would be matched by the Wege Foundation up to $50,000 in an effort to net a total $100,000.

The Children's Grief Program provides support to young people grieving the death of a loved one. On Wednesday, 24 Hour News 8 met with a family who is in the program and still dealing with grief.
 
"There are people out there who are experiencing the same thing that you are," Brenda Milton said of her experience at Gilda's Club Grand Rapids.

Milton's husband, Victor, died in March 2011 after diabetes and his family's poor heart health history took their toll. Brenda recalled how it affected her four children -- Mecca, 17, Israel, 16, Kenya, 11, and Zaire, 9.

"Some children were quieter, moodier, others were acting out," she recalled.
 
"I wanted him to see a lot of things that happened in my life," said Kenya.

"I just felt alone. Had nobody to talk to, and had to keep it all inside," said Mecca, who felt the added burden of being the oldest sibling.
 
Earlier this year, Brenda heard of the Children's Grief Program through a nurse at her son's school.
 
"At first I thought Gilda's was just for cancer support," said Brenda.
 
The grief program caters to more than just victims of cancer. It is available for those dealing with any type of death.
 
"Especially when they are at their beginning stages, they feel like they are never going to smile again," said Gilda's grief counselor Barbara Williams.
 
Once the Miltons opened up, things got a little easier.
 
"Somebody to help you out through your grief and through your problems," said Brenda.
 
"Ever since I came to Gilda's, I felt like I can share my story. People will understand," said Mecca.
 
Mecca beams about the program, but that's nothing compared to when she talks about her dad. She laughs when she thinks about her time with him, and she said her time at Gilda's lets her remember those good times.

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