The Lockwood Group Partners with Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss as Philanthropic Priority and Creates Butterfly Art Installations

The Lockwood Group has selected Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss, as its corporate philanthropic priority for 2026, combining financial support with creative employee engagement to benefit families coping with grief.

Earlier this year, Christine Stone of The Lockwood Group nominated Imagine to serve as the organization's philanthropic partner. Imagine Executive Director Lindsay Schambach was invited to address The Lockwood Group at their Year-Beginning Meeting to share Imagine's mission of providing free grief support groups for children, teens, young adults, and caregivers coping with the loss of someone close to them.

THE GIFT AND THE BUTTERFLY INSTALLATION

As part of the partnership, The Lockwood Group presented Imagine with a $10,000 gift to directly fund their peer support group program. The donation provides essential financial support for Imagine's year-round grief services.

Beyond the monetary contribution, employees at The Lockwood Group crafted a butterfly installation for Imagine's Mountainside Center. The installation features vibrant origami butterflies, each folded with words of grief, loss, encouragement, and support written inside. Local members of The Lockwood Group team visited Imagine in Mountainside to personally install the artwork in the children's wing of the center.

"We are deeply grateful to Christine Stone and the entire team at The Lockwood Group for choosing Imagine as their philanthropic partner this year," said Schambach. "Their generous $10,000 gift, combined with the beautiful butterfly installation, brings both essential financial support and tangible comfort to the children and families who walk through our doors."

IMAGINE'S SERVICES

Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that offers free year-round grief support groups. The organization serves children ages 3-18 and young adults 19-30 coping with loss due to death. Support groups are also available for parents and caregivers of the children in the groups.

Recognizing the diversity of the community it serves, Imagine offers support groups in both English and Spanish. The organization operates centers in Newark and Mountainside and also offers virtual groups for those who prefer remote participation.

Union County Life has been tracking community partnerships and nonprofit initiatives across Mountainside and the other 20 Union County municipalities. This partnership demonstrates how corporate giving and employee engagement can directly support families during difficult times.

MORE INFORMATION

Residents interested in learning more about Imagine's services or the support groups available can contact the organization at 908-264-3100, info@imaginenj.org, or visit www.imaginenj.org.

FAQ

What is The Lockwood Group's partnership with Imagine?
The Lockwood Group selected Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss, as their 2026 philanthropic priority. The partnership includes a $10,000 donation to fund Imagine's peer support groups and an employee-created butterfly art installation at Imagine's Mountainside Center.

What is the butterfly installation?
The Lockwood Group's employees created an installation featuring vibrant origami butterflies, each folded with words of grief, loss, encouragement, and support written inside. Local Lockwood Group team members installed the artwork in the children's wing of Imagine's Mountainside Center.

What does Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss do?
Imagine is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free year-round grief support groups for children ages 3-18, young adults 19-30, and caregivers coping with loss due to death. Groups are offered in English and Spanish at centers in Newark and Mountainside, and virtually.

Who can attend Imagine's support groups?
Children ages 3-18 coping with loss due to death, young adults ages 19-30, and parents and caregivers of children in the groups. All groups are free.

Where are Imagine's services located?
Imagine has centers in Newark and Mountainside, and offers virtual support groups for those who prefer remote participation.

How can I get more information about Imagine's services?
Contact Imagine at 908-264-3100, info@imaginenj.org, or visit www.imaginenj.org.

How much did The Lockwood Group donate?
The Lockwood Group donated $10,000 to directly fund Imagine's peer support group program.