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4- PORT PERRY STAR - Wednesday, October 11, 1995 "Scugog"s Community Newspaper of Choice" PORT PERRY STAR € COMMUNITY officers set up spot 'checks along the PC. J highway to stop vehicles and enforce seat er from belt laws. A total of 7,720 vehicles were a checked during the blitz with 144 tickets 'being issued for not wearing seat belts. An earlier survey showed only 65 per cent of drivers wear seatbelts in Durham Region, but last weekends blitz Indicated The seat belt blitz runs until Oct. 21. ER HVIDSTEN / PORT PERRY STAR United Way workers hopeful $3.2 million goal will be reached By Jeff Mitchell Port Perry Star Now more than ever, the United Way is depending on the community for support. Organizers of the 1995 fundraising effort have set a target of $3.2 million, and remain optimistic they'll reach the mark, the same achieved by the drive in Durham in 1994. Funding by the United Way, an umbrella organization pro- viding financial support for some 40 agencies which serve an estimated 80,000 in Durham, will be even more necessary than in years past as governments cut back on support to all sectors, said Bob Howard, campaign director here. Social services agencies in Ontario are smarting from cut- backs imposed by both federal and provincial governments, and will continue to do so as the funding noose tightens, Mr. Howard predicted. "There's no way in the world United Ways can make up the difference," he said. "What we can do is cushion the blow." United Way launched its annual fundraising campaign here in September, and so far indications are that the com- munity will respond well to its call for support, said Mr. Howard. "First indications are that in some areas we'll be up, and in some areas we'll be down," said Mr. Howard. Driving the fund are employ- ee payroll deduction plans and efforts at local business and industry, the "backbone" of the campaign, he said. In addition, United Way's campaign team have cooked up a number of special events to help the cause. The remain- der of the $3.2 million will have to be gathered through indi- vidual contributions. Mr. Howard said it's tough to tell how individuals will respond at a time when the emphasis everywhere is on cutting back on expenditures; and people remain fearful for their jobs. "There are some people say- ing, I'm going to pull in my horns, because it could be me. "But at the some time, his- torically United Way cam- paigns have been most suc- cessful when times are tough." Here are some of the special events coming up for the United Way: a Oct. 15, the United Way Car Rally and Observation Run hosted by CN takes place at the CN yard on Bayly St. in Pickering. a Oct. 19 and 20 it's the Hong Kong Bank barbecue and raffle, at 1200 Dundas St. E. in Whitby. 2 Oct. 26 there will be a fash- ion show at The Flying Dutchman in Bowmanville. a Nov. 3, the Municipality of Clarington holds its Holiday Getaway draw, with several prizes on the block. J And on Nov. 4, the second annual The Taste of Wine... The Taste of Life wine-tasting event will be held at the Flying Dutchman. Tickets can be pur- chased in advance by calling 623-3373. Hospice Uxbridge-Scugog helps grieving families Dedicated volunteers are there in hour of need for those losing loved ones By Jim Belyea Special to The Star Learning to deal with grief and bereavement need not be a lonely struggle. Hospice Uxbridge Scugog including Brock, is offering a non- -denominational self- help support group for bereaved people in North Durham. The program is not only for hospice families, but to the community as a whole. The group, led by trained facilitators, will meet on Monday evenings starting Oct. 16. Barbara Hoegenauer is a group facilitator for the new grief program. Hospice has always provided grief support, but it didn't have an organized bereavement program. Now it does. 'Death-denying society' Ms. Hoegenauer has been a volunteer with Hospice Uxbridge Scugog including Brock for five years as a client and volunteer. She took an intensive facihi- tator's training course last spring. A single mom, she holds down a nine-to-five job, is a student at night, and acts as a visiting volunteer for the hos- pice. Ms. Hoegenauer has always been interested in how people work through their grief. She found it interesting how it is immensely different for each person. "Generally speaking, we are a death-denying society," she said. "Employers for example will give employees three days of compassionate leave, then it's business as usual, get on with your life." "Griefis healthy and our losses must be acknowledged and expressed before we can move on in hfe," she said. There are a lot of physical ailments that relate directly to unresolved grief. She formed the committee which put the support group program together. The self-help group provides a safe and supportive environ- ment where members gain a greater understanding of the grieving process. It encourages awareness of personal strength and provides a chance to iden- tify individual grief issues. There is also a chance to share information on coping abilities, stress management and available support. Last weekend Ms. Hoegenauer attended the Ontario Conference for Bereavement Network. A facilitator has to have compassion and the ability to understand and gently guide the group. Self-help group "It's a self-help group," she explained. "The big thing is they will be helping each other." The self-help group is just part of the bereavement ser- vices the hospice provides. There is also a Tuesday Drop- in and a walking group. For more information regarding the time and location, please call the hospice office at 852- 4461.