FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 6, 2025

City of Donna Proclaims November as Children’s Grief Awareness Month and November 20 as Children’s Grief Awareness Day

Donna, TX The City of Donna has officially proclaimed November 2025 as Children’s Grief Awareness Month and November 20, 2025, as Children’s Grief Awareness Day, joining communities across the nation in recognizing the needs of grieving children and raising awareness about the impact of childhood loss.

Mayor David Moreno issued the proclamation during the City Council meeting on

November 4, 2025, emphasizing the city’s ongoing commitment to supporting children

and families navigating the pain of losing a loved one.

“Countless children across the Rio Grande Valley experience the death of a loved one each year,” said Mayor Moreno. “Their grief can profoundly affect their emotional, mental, and physical well-being. By designating November as Children’s Grief Awareness Month and November 20 as Children’s Grief Awareness Day, the City of Donna reaffirms its role as a community of hope, understanding, and healing ensuring that every grieving child feels seen, supported, and empowered.”

The proclamation honors the Children’s Bereavement Center Rio Grande Valley (CBC-RGV) and its community partners for their dedication to helping children and families heal after loss. The 2025 national theme, “Champions of Hope,” celebrates those who uplift grieving children caring individuals, families, and communities who provide strength and encouragement on their journey toward healing.

During the meeting, Noelynn Llasos, Administrative Manager of the Children’s Bereavement Center Rio Grande Valley, expressed gratitude to Mayor Moreno and the City Council for their leadership and compassion.

“Across the United States, one in eleven children will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18 that’s over 6.4 million children,” said Llasos. “In Hidalgo County alone, approximately 8,000 children will experience such a loss by age 18, and nearly 19,000 by age 25. These children not only face the trauma of loss but also barriers such as limited access to health care and economic hardship. That’s why free and accessible grief care is not just important, it’s essential.”

The Children’s Bereavement Center RGV provides no-cost grief support to children, teens, and their families through counseling, peer groups, and caregiver support. No family is ever turned away due to income or insurance limitations.

The Center invites the community to participate in a Candlelight Vigil on November 20, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., held simultaneously at the Center’s Harlingen and McAllen locations. The event will honor grieving children and families throughout the Rio Grande Valley, promoting unity, compassion, and healing.

Mayor Moreno encouraged all citizens, schools, businesses, and organizations in Donna to “wear blue” on November 20 in solidarity with grieving children and their families.

“Our community’s strength lies in our compassion,” said Moreno. “By standing together as Champions of Hope, we send a powerful message to every grieving child that they are not alone.”

About the Children’s Bereavement Center Rio Grande Valley

The Children’s Bereavement Center RGV is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free grief support services for children, teens, and families throughout South Texas. Through counseling, peer groups, and community outreach, the Center helps families find hope and healing after loss.