WIDOWS WEAR STILETTOS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

February, 2012

FUN, FRIENDSHIP AND FUNDRAISING

AT THE "STILETTO-RIFFIC FUNDRAISER IN JANUARY

A wonderful time was had by all at our first "Stiletto-riffic FUNdraiser in January.  Congratulations to the following winners:

"Best Stilettos Contest":  Hallie Berman (and her RED HOT boots!)

"Traveled the Farthest":  Michelle Ennis Vasquez

Holiday Inn raffle winners:  Heidi Prescott and Beth George

The highlight of the evening was presenting TWO camperships for Camp Widow to Michele Neff Hernandez, Executive Director of the Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation.  We thank everyone who has and continues to support the First Month Foundation. We had a "stiletto-riffic" time!

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CAROLE'S SECOND BOOK:

"HAPPILY EVEN AFTER:

A Guide to Getting Through (and Beyond!)

the Grief of Widowhood" (Viva Editions May, 2012)

IS AVAILABLE ON PRE-SALE NOW!

CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER

http://tinyurl.com/78s6awl
 

In support of her new book, Carole and Viva Editions will be launching a book tour.  Check back often for updates on the "Media Appearances" page

Proudly presented by

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We CAN

We WILL

We MUST

WIDOWS WEAR STILETTOS

"FIRST MONTH" FOUNDATION

Widows Wear Stilettos has formed the "First Month" Foundation; a non-profit foundation that will be dedicated to providing specific financial assistance to the widowed.  The three exclusive focuses of the foundation are as follows:

1. As most of you have personally experienced, a widow/er cannot receive any kind of financial proceeds (Social Security, life insurance, access bank accounts, etc.) until they have received a death certificate.  The Foundation will endeavor to offer a one-time financial payment to assist with paying a bill or other household expense (i.e., food, utility, child care, etc.) within the first 30 to 60 days after a spousal death;

2. At a time of great tragedy – the loss of a spouse - the most basic and fundamental item to which every family is entitled is the placing of a grave marker or headstone in memory of their beloved.  The astronomical costs of a funeral generally do not include this incredibly important remembrance of love and respect.  The Foundation will endeavor to provide assistance to those who cannot afford the full cost of a grave marker / headstone for their beloved.

3. Widows Wear Stilettos is unwaveringly committed to the annual "Camp Widow" conferences; sponsored by the Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation.  Understanding the educational, communal and emotional importance of this event to the widowed community; regardless of age, gender, marital status or length of time widowed, the Foundation would like to provide "camperships" (the registration fee for Camp) to the widowed in financial need who wish to attend.

Please be aware that we are without substantial initial funding.  In addtion to these three areas of need, both Widows Wear Stilettos Inc., and the First Month Foundation subsidize the day-to-day operations of Widows Wear Stilettos, as well as things such as gift bags for WWS attendees at BOTH East Coast and West Coast Camp Widow, prizes, giveaways and so forth.  We are endeavoring to raise money for the Foundation with net proceeds from the sales of WWS merchandise; however, this is not enough to disburse funds and attend to administration of Widows Wear Stilettos, Inc. and the Foundation.  We look forward to the acceptance of donations, grants and sponsorships; as well as holding various fundraising activities.   

YOU CAN HELP!

 1.  SHOW YOUR WWS SUPPORT: In addition to the merchandise  featured on our website, we are also proud to offer a complete Widows Wear Stilettos store at www.zazzle.com/widowswearstilettos* ! From coffee and travel mugs to keychains, stickers and postcards...not to mention an entire line of t-shirts, sweatshirts, tank tops - WWS merchandise is perfect for support groups, get-togethers or just to show people that you are proud to be a member of Widows Wear Stilettos.  ALL net proceeds from the sales of ALL WWS merchandise go to the Foundation.

2.  CONTINUE YOUR HEALING:  Carole's CD, "Widows Wear Stilettos" What Now?" is a best-seller and makes a great companion to the books.  ALL net proceeds from CD sales go to the Foundation.

3.  MAKE A DONATION: Whether it is simply to help another widow in need or in memory of your beloved; be it large or small, every donation counts and is greatly appreciated.  All donations are tax-deductible. All individual donors will be recognized on the Monthly Newsletter page; except for those who wish to remain anonymous.  Those who make individual donations will receive a special "thank you" gift from Widows Wear Stilettos. 

4.  SEND US YOUR SUGGESTIONS:  We welcome all ideas, suggestions, sponsor / donor resources** from our membership.  Please forward your communication(s) to  WidowsWStilettos@aol.com

 We are excited beyond measure about this endeavor and what is truly a "dream come true" for Widows Wear Stilettos.  Together, we can make a difference in our own WWS community and in the lives of those who have been touched by the pain and challenge of widowhood. 

A sincere thank you to those who support

the First Month Foundation; including:

Michelle Banks

Jennifer Arches

Hallie and Joel Berman

Michele Neff Hernandez and Michael Dare

Heidi Prescott

Beth George

Eilene Clinkenbeard

Michelle Vasquez

Lori Bartok

And sincerest thanks to our friends at

Holiday Inn Hotels

and the

Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation

**CORPORATE / ORGANIZATION SPONSOR AND UNDERWRITER INTEREST:  Please contact WidowsWStilettos@aol.com to receive a Sponsors Packet. 

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WIDOWS WEAR STILETTOS' "FLEET-ING THOUGHTS"

NOW APPEARING AT WWW.WIDOWSWEARSTILETTOS.BLOGSPOT.COM

So many of you have written in asking to hear from Carole more than once a month – and now you can! Carole's new blog, entitled "Fleet-ing Thoughts" is now at  www.widowswearstilettos.blogspot.com.  Taking a slight departure from the more formal Monthly Messages, Carole's blogs are "completely candid, totally honest and 100% uncensored"; allowing everyone to FEARLESSLY express what's really on their minds.  You can also sign up to have Carole's blogs automatically delivered to your email and you can become a follower of her blog as well.  Visit "Fleet-ing Thoughts" soon at www.widowswearstilettos.blogspot.com

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GET YOUR "SNEAK PEEK" ON! 

The website page entitled, "The Book", which currently features an excerpt from Carole first book, "Widows Wear Stilettos…" has been updated to include the Prologue and complete Table of Contents from Carole's forthcoming book, "Happily EVEN After: A Guide to Getting Through (and Beyond!) the Grief of Widowhood"  (Viva Editions, May 2012).  You'll see that no matter  what question you have about your widowhood and no matter what situation you have dealt with or may be dealing with right now, you'll find an answer - and much much more - in "Happily EVEN After..."  Be among the first to receive Carole's new book and pre-order your copy now!

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STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH WIDOWS WEAR STILETTOS

SEND US YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

We want to stay in touch with you but we need your help to do it.  Please send your name and email address to WidowsWStilettos@aol.com with a request to be added to our database.  We do not "spam" and your email address will never be sold or disclosed to a third party.

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WIDOWS WEAR STILETTOS

IN-PERSON SUPPORT GROUPS NATIONWIDE

VISIT "TIPS OF THE MONTH"

FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO FACILITATE

OR ATTEND A WWS SUPPORT GROUP

IN YOUR AREA

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"WIDOWS WEAR STILETTOS" IS NOT JUST A BEST SELLER

IT HAS ALSO BEEN RATED A "TOP SELLER" BY AMAZON!

YOU CAN HELP OTHERS WITH JUST FIVE MINUTES

AND A FEW WORDS

Amazon has selected "Widows Wear Stilettos…" as a top-rated book out of the over eight million titles that Amazon currently carries!  While a wonderful honor, customers (especially widows) want more than critical opinion and that's where you come in.  Have you read "Widows Wear Stilettos…"?  Did you love it?  Did the book help you and if so, how?  You can help others by posting a quick customer review at Amazon.com.  Remember, if someone is looking at the "Widows Wear Stilettos…" page on Amazon, they (or someone they know) is in great pain and needs the help and hope that you can provide.  Posting a review takes no time at all and you'll be helping others by letting them know how the book helped you and how it might help them as well.  Widows Wear Stilettos thanks you for your heart and your support.

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WIDOWS WEAR STILETTOS AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY

In addition to availability at major retailers and online bookselling sites, "Widows Wear Stilettos.." is available at public libraries throughout the United States and Canada.  Visit your local public library and if you don't see it – ask for it! 

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WWS “MEDIA GROUP”

Are you wondering how our fabulous WWS Angels are selected for interviews by the media?  They are members of the WWS Media Group; consisting of volunteers who are willing to be interviewed by the media about their experiences as a widow and their experiences at WWS.  This has consistently proven to be a wonderful way to reach thousands of people in need, who would not have otherwise found us.

If you would like to be a part of the WWS Media Group and considered as a candidate for future interviews (which can consist of anything from a local newspaper story to a national television show), please provide the following information to WidowsWStilettos@aol.com and specify “Interview Volunteer” in the subject line:

Name

Full Street Address

Telephone number (please include your area code)

Valid email address

Age

(we’re really not being nosy about your age, but journalists, reporters,

editors, producers and show hosts always ask)

Please be aware that your personal information will NEVER be given to the media before we have contacted you directly with further information and instructions. 

We thank all of you so much!

NOTE:  For those of you for whom it is simply too difficult to discuss your widowhood journey, we have the utmost respect for your feelings and for your privacy.  We will never ask or impose upon anyone to do anything that would cause additional pain or otherwise make you uncomfortable.   We appreciate you and will continue to be here for you

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WIDOWS WEAR STILETTOS PHOTO GALLERY

We are going

We are growing

We ARE Widows Wear Stilettos

COMING SOON!