PDS CARES 30 Years, 30 Gifts has selected Bobby’s Books as this week’s donation recipient. PDS Employee, Susi Johnson submitted Bobby’s Books as a nominee. Over the last several years Susi has seen first-hand how beneficial the Bobby’s Books program has been to so many. Even just one book can make a huge difference for families, creating teachable moments, or to help them deal with grief and loss.
About Bobby’s Books: The Bobby’s Books program was created by Pam Krenzke, a colleague and friend, who died in January 2006. Pam devoted much of her time to Bobby’s Books, a support program made up of literary resources. It was the loss of Pam’s two sons, Bobby and Eric, due to a genetic disorder that fueled her compassion and her fire to improve one’s journey at the end of life. She was determined to make certain that parents, educators, and caregivers of children would have a resource to help children deal with their loss and grief, a tool that she did not have available to her when Bobby and Eric were dying.
Bobby Krenzke loved words, ideas, laughing and learning. He was born on August 6, 1985 and died on May 16, 1995. Bobby’s Books was created in his memory and to fulfill his wish to make a difference in the world. Since Pam’s death in 2006, Bobby’s Books has come under the direction of the Midwest Center for Home, Hospice & Palliative Care Education. It is our intent to honor Pam’s family and her legacy by continuing to nurture and grow this special program. Through so much tragedy, has come so much hope and promise. Their legacy will live on.
Childhood is a wonderful time. A child embraces the joy of each day. Sometimes though, sadness, fear, illness and loss enter a child’s life. If you know a child who had to make such a journey, would you know how to help?
One way is to use children’s books to help kids deal with difficult issues, such as a childhood illness, death of a parent or grandparent, death of a pet or friend or even divorce and other family issues. Using children’s literature as a springboard for conversations will give kids the chance to express their feelings and tell their own stories.
It is also important that children have access to a variety of books that show a broad range of emotions and feelings. This helps kids see that they can act independently, assume responsibility for their actions, tolerate frustration, approach new challenges with enthusiasm, and be proud of their accomplishments.
You and your child will both benefit.
The Bobby’s Books Program is comprised of multiple resources designed to give a foundation of support to children and adults who experience grief and loss issues. The true focus of the Bobby’s Books Program is to serve as a proactive resource to the community to gain a better support system for our children and those who care for them. The core of the Bobby’s Books Program is comprised of Educational Seminars, Lesson Plans and a Bibliography List For example, the complete Bobby’s Books program is currently active throughout many elementary schools in the State of Ohio.
This donation from PDS CARES to Bobby’s Books will go toward the purchase of children’s books for families and children who are in immediate need of direction to cope with a loss or change in their life. To find out more about Bobby’s Books, you may contact the Program Director, Jennifer.Taylor@midwestcarealliance or visit: http://www.bobbysbooks.org/aws/MCA/pt/sp/bobbysbooks_bookstore to browse the books by category, each specifically selected to create conversations and teachable moments.
Keep reading … keep talking … keep healing!
PDS CARES “30 Years, 30 Gifts” is a charitable gifting program which will make donations to thirty 501(c)(3) charities in 2015 in celebration of PDS Planning, Inc’s 30th year anniversary.