Military Widows Come to Pigeon Forge For Healing, Connecting, and Fun

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. - March 16, 2017 - PRLog -- The American Widow Project (AWP), a National nonprofit dedicated to uniting, empowering, and educating military widows, with the support of local businesses, will hold a weekend retreat on March 24th-27th, 2017 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Ten military widows from around the country will meet to share their stories, connect, and renew their hope for the future.

Since 2001, over 6,700 service members have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. This number does not include deaths caused by service-related illnesses or injuries, accidents, or military suicides from current and past conflicts. Often, these service members leave behind wives, fiances, or girlfriends who must not only cope with the loss of a loved one, but also rebuild their lives. The American Widow Project provides vital peer-to-peer, emotional, and educational support necessary to maximize healing and hope for a brighter future.

The AWP retreat will include holistic approaches to self-care through out the weekend as well as stepping outside their comfort zones for self-discovery. Some of the activities include zip lining, hiking, an essential oil class and grief workshops that will help the widows break down barriers and encourage them to embrace life once again. These activities, along with the small number of attendees and diversity of the group, allow everyone to build personal relationships and heal emotional wounds. Staying together in a single house, attendees are able to share memories of their fallen soldiers and struggles they've experienced as widows. Women leave with a critical support system as they return home with renewed hope for the future.

The American Widow Project would like to thank the city of Pigeon Forge, Wildwater, Big Daddy's Pizzeria, Pigeon Forge Deli, The Beantrees Cafe, Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show, Beth Marshall, George Plunkett and all AWP supporters for their generous donations and assistance in helping give back to the families whose spouses have made the ultimate sacrifice for our great Nation.

About American Widow Project:

The American Widow Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to our Nation's military widows. The mission of the American Widow Project is to connect military widows through peer-based support programs, designed by military widows, to educate, empower, and assist them as they rebuild their lives in the face of tragedy. Through their programs, the organization has reached over 2,100 military widows nationwide and continues to support new military widows on a daily basis. For more information go to www.americanwidowproject.org or call 1.877.297.9436.

Media Contact:

Erin Dructor

619.977.1005