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General Information

2011 Gathering Registration Packet
Our committee has been working for months on plans for this year’s National Gathering and we are anxious to share this annual event with you.  Although not one of us ever imagined we would be associated with a bereaved parent/sibling group, many of us have found that our “Journeys of the Heart” are somewhat more bearable when taking this journey with others who truly understand.  Some of you have been making this journey for many years while others have barely begun theirs.  Hand-in-hand, step-by-step, we walk this road together, offering one another hope.  We guarantee that you will be touched by someone during your weekend in Reston, Virginia with us, whether it is by a speaker, workshop presenter, the showing of “Space Between Breaths,” a song you hear, or a “fellow traveler” seated next to you at a meal who can see that you need a hug.  We would be pleased and honored to share this experience, and many others, with you.  Please join us the weekend of July 28-31 for an event you’ll be glad you didn’t miss, our personal “Monumental Journey of the Heart…”

Gathering Speakers and Performers: We are excited and pleased to announce that this year’s speakers are some of the best in the area of bereavement.  Our awe-inspiring speakers for the 2011 National BP/USA Gathering hosted by the Northern Virginia chapter include Mitch Carmody, Becky Greer, Drs. Gloria and Heidi Horsley, Dave Roberts, Darcie Sims, Rosemary Smith, and Ron Villano.  All are bereaved parents.  We are equally elated that two very popular singer/songwriters, Cindy Bullens and Alan Pedersen, have accepted our invitations to perform their inspirational songs of love, loss and healing.

Thursday Night Activities:  While the 2011 BP/USA National Gathering officially begins on Friday, July 29th, we have planned very special activities for Thursday, July 28th for those attendees arriving early.  We will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a dinner buffet ($17 per person).  At 7:00 p.m., Rosemary and Luther Smith, bereaved parents of two sons, will present their amazing award-winning documentary, “Space Between Breaths.”  This is a film you will NOT soon forget so you won’t want to miss it!  We’ll then be treated to the beautiful music of two-time Grammy Nominee, singer/songwriter and bereaved parent, Cindy Bullens.  She is currently on tour with her group, “The Refugees” but has graciously offered to share her message of hope through music with us.

Hotel Accommodations: The Sheraton Hotel in Reston, Virginia will be providing a discounted rate of $99 per night (plus tax), and will honor this rate for 2011 National Gathering guests from July 25 ~ August 3, 2011. Book your reservation early on our personalized website.  Please use our personal website and NOT the Sheraton Hotel website to book your room.  June 26th is the deadline to book hotel reservations at the discounted rate. If you need to call the hotel the number is: 703-620-9000.

Travel by Air:  The Sheraton offers a free shuttle to/from Dulles International Airport (IAD).  Two other airports, Reagan National (DCA) and Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) also serve the DC area, but the hotel does not offer a shuttle service to/from those airports.  You will need to arrange your own transportation to/from DCA and BWI airports.  We encourage you to attend the Gathering from Thursday evening through Sunday at noon so you won’t miss anything we have planned for you.  Book your flights now! 

Meals: Total Meal Plan (Fri-Sun which includes 3 breakfast buffets, 2 lunches and 2 dinners) is $145.00 and $75 for children 12 and under.  Prices include gratuity.  Please advise us of any special dietary needs.  We have exceptional speakers scheduled at the conclusion of each of our 7 meals.  All attendees are invited to join us following the meals.  We don’t want anyone to miss the messages of hope delivered by each amazing speaker.

Sibling Program:  We are offering an extensive program this year for all siblings who attend the Gathering.  Siblings will have their own scheduled workshops, presenters, entertainment, activities and social time.  All bereaved siblings are invited, ages 9 to adult, although each age group will be divided to ensure everyone is scheduled for age-appropriate activities.  We are requesting that siblings send a picture of themselves with their brother(s) and/or sister(s) to be included in a special slide presentation.  We highly encourage parents to include your children, young and old, in this special weekend.

Workshops:  A variety of workshops are offered in a structured setting facilitated by a skilled presenter and designed to address specific topics.  This is also a time of learning and sharing.

Special Workshop/Book Discussion:  This year the book selected for discussion is “The Shack” by William P. Young.  If you are interested in participating in this workshop, the presenter suggests that you read “The Shack” before attending the Gathering.

Sharing Sessions:  These are informal meetings led by a facilitator and are offered Friday and Saturday evenings.  Participants share experiences on specific topics.

Slideshow Presentation:  This occurs during the Candlelight Service, which is a meaningful part of our Gathering each year.  If you wish to have your child included in our slideshow, please send a photo of your child (alone in the picture), no larger than 8x10, and the completed form, to the address listed at the bottom of that page.  Photos may also be sent via e-mail in jpg format to bpusa.nova@yahoo.com.

Dressing for the Gathering: The dress is casual and the weather will be hot in the DC area, however you will want to bring a sweater as the hotel workshop rooms can be chilly.

Sponsorship Opportunities:

Sponsorships:  We are offering a number of opportunities this year for those who wish to have their child(ren) remembered in a special way during the Gathering.  Sponsorships enable individuals, chapters and businesses to support the Gathering as well as remember their loved ones.  As you may know, we count on all sponsorships to aid in the cost of the Gathering each year so we can use your help.  You are free to participate in as many of the sponsorship opportunities available to you as seen below.

Sponsor a Page in the Gathering Program Book – Fill out the form for your Child(ren)’s Memorial Sponsorship Page to be published in the program book.  Mail the form with your page layout, print ready, including pictures if desired, to Claire Ann & Sam Stevenson at the address on the form.  The deadline to guarantee your child’s picture is included in the program book is June 1st.  The cost for a full page is $100, a half page is $50 and a quarter page is $25.

Sponsor a Workshop or Sharing Session – At a cost of $50, a sign will be professionally made which will include your child’s name, picture, the scheduled workshop, and the person(s) sponsoring each workshop/sharing session.  It will be displayed on an easel outside the door of a workshop. Please indicate your participation on the registration form and send a picture (no larger than 8x10)  to the address given on the registration form, or e-mail if preferred.  The sign is yours to keep at the conclusion of the Gathering on Sunday at noon.  The deadline is June 1st. 
Sponsor a Centerpiece:  We are asking for a $20 donation per centerpiece.  Your child’s name will be displayed with the centerpiece during the entire Gathering.  If attending, you are welcome to take the centerpiece with you when you leave on Sunday.

Table Favors:  If you as an individual or your chapter would like to donate small table favors in memory of your child(ren), we need approximately 400 (possibly as many as 500) items per meal.  Contact Linda Harkness at (703)530-6496 or bpusa.nova@yahoo.com to let us know what you would like to donate in your print or online registration.  Please bring the items with you or mail to Linda @7694 Knightshayes Dr., Manassas,VA 20111.     

Bookstore: The Centering Corporation will provide a complete bookstore with a vast variety of materials including books, CD’s and DVD’s, many authored by our speakers, workshop presenters and entertainers who will be available to autograph them at a designated time.

The Butterfly Boutique:  We will offer many lovely items with a focus on butterflies, angels and other similar themes. There will also be a terrific Silent Auction and Raffle held on Saturday.  Donations in memory of your child(ren) are greatly appreciated and welcomed.  Please send any items you wish to donate in memory of your child to the Butterfly Boutique, the Silent Auction or Raffle to: Jodi Norman, 2816 Noble Fir Court, Woodbridge, VA 22192.  If you have any questions, contact Jodi at 703-910-6277 or e-mail: bpusa.nova@yahoo.com.

The Hospitality Area:  A social gathering spot to enjoy snacks and beverages and/or a place to take a break from the busy schedule and catch your breath while you visit with other bereaved families from across the USA.

Reflection Room: A peaceful and serene room to reflect/meditate while soft music plays in the background.  Paper will be provided to write your thoughts and messages to your loved one. Special plans are being made to send these messages to our children.

T-Shirts:  Gathering T-shirts in full color on a colored shirt can be preordered on the registration form.  Take advantage of the preorder discounted price of $12.00. T-shirts will sell for $15 in the Butterfly Boutique.  Youth size t-shirts are $10.  Sibling shirts will read “A Sibling’s Monumental Journey of the Heart” and will be in a different color than parent t-shirts.

Picture-Buttons:  We will have a picture-button maker at the Gathering.  It is highly recommended that you preorder them at a cost of $3 each.  Please send a picture or pictures of your child via e-mail to bpusa.nova@yahoo.com in jpg format and indicate on the order form how many picture-buttons you would like.  If you order them at the Gathering, the price will be $4.00.  If bringing a picture with you to the Gathering, a clear photo is best because they will be scanned into the computer and picture-buttons will be made from the scanned copy.

Creative Station:  You will be able to make keepsakes using your child(ren)’s photograph(s).  Items for sale will include cards, return address labels, mugs, and t-shirts, among other mementos. DON’T FORGET to bring photographs with you to use in these projects.

Memorial Templates: Enclosed in your packet and available for download is our HEART template to decorate in memory of your loved one.  Be creative!!!  Bring it with you to be displayed so that we can all get to know your child who is “Forever in Your Heart.”  Put your child’s name and dates on the front.

End of Gathering:  We will conclude Sunday around noon and you don’t want to miss anything as we wrap up another Gathering until next year.  Following our last breakfast buffet, we will be treated to an exceptional speaker, Mitch Carmody.  We then have something special planned – a performance by Jordan Herskowitz. “Growing Up Jordy Pordy” expresses his feelings of loss following the deaths of two brothers to cystic fibrosis.  His one-man show has brought rave reviews! The day will end with the releasing of doves to the playing of a bagpipe – a beautiful ending to an amazing weekend shared with families and friends, both old and new.

Local Attractions:  Washington, DC is a fantastic family vacation destination so come early and/or stay later as there is so much to do and see in DC and the surrounding area!  The Monuments, The Smithsonian Institute, Arlington National Cemetery and Mount Vernon are just a few of the many attractions. This year also commemorates the 150th Anniversary of the First Battle of the Civil War which was fought in Manassas, Virginia.  There are events held all year, but the full re-enactment of that battle will take place the weekend of July 23-24th.