Corazón Healdsburg and the City of Healdsburg announce a day of community gathering, healing and giving in the aftermath of the worst natural disaster in the area’s history. In the spirit of the traditional Dia de Los Muertos event, a community altar will hold the remembrances of ancestors, friends, relatives and loved ones no longer with us. In the spirit of community, attendees will share in a posole feed. In the spirit of recovery, there will be an outlet for play and creativity for children – all with the backdrop of live music.
“Our community is hungry for an opportunity to be together in the wake of the events of the past week, said Leticia Romero, Corazón executive director. “Corazón’s mission includes ‘la cultura cura’ — cultural healing — and it seemed obvious that we needed to extend an invitation to everyone to join together, with heart.”
On Sunday, Oct. 29 from 1 to 5 p.m., organizers of the event will welcome the community to an “Event of the Heart.” This event is for those who still need shelter, those who need community connection for their own healing, those inspired to give to those most affected by the tragic fires, and for the community at large.
“Día de los Muertos is much more than sugar skulls and painted faces” Romero said. “It is a part of our history. It is part of our cultural heritage. Many people may not realize that a big part of the tradition’s purpose is healing.”
The event begins at 1 p.m. on the Healdsburg Plaza. Everyone is welcome to add photos and other remembrances of loved ones who have died at the community altar, and first responders will be on hand to receive love and gratitude. Corazón’s work is focused on the most vulnerable in our communities and the event’s opportunities to donate will directly benefit the fire survivors not be eligible for other forms of assistance and the 44 first responders who lost their homes.
“The heart of Healdsburg will be felt as we bring our communities together to acknowledge the tragedy that has befallen our area, appreciate the first responders who worked tirelessly to keep our communities as safe as possible, and be grateful for the strength in our community,” said Healdsburg Mayor Shaun McCaffery.
Ari Rosen, event initiator and founder of Corazón Healdsburg, underlined the event as a place for community support. “Together, we will rise up from this moment,” he said. “This afternoon of gratitude and giving will create a place where we can come together as a whole community,”
Volunteers are needed to help with many roles for the event’s success. Interested community members can sign up at: http://signup.com/go/Bamypzw.
— submitted by Taya Levine
