Rings for Recovery offers free rings to help combat feelings of grief

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GREENVILLE — According to Mayoclinic.org, losing a loved one is one of the most distressing and, unfortunately, common experiences people face.

Most people experiencing normal grief and bereavement have a period of sorrow, numbness, and even guilt and anger. Gradually these feelings ease, and it is possible to accept loss and move forward. But for some people, feelings of loss are debilitating and do not improve, even after time passes, according to Mayoclinic.org.

One local therapist and social worker Donnie Mansfield, has developed a way to help combat those feelings brought on by grief. He has started “Rings for Recovery”, in Greenville. It is a free program to Darke County residents, to support those struggling to cope with grief and loss. He requests those outside of the county to make a donation for shipping and supplies. Each ring is hand-crafted out of red oak with a walnut oil finish and takes about an hour to craft. Mansfield has purchased tools to make the job easier, such as Dremel tools and attachments.

The idea to create the rings came to him unintentionally, he said. He had started woodworking and had an idea of making a wood piece and then jewelry came to mind. In the month’s time since he started the project, he has created about 10 rings.

“I enjoy doing it, and the more I make the better I get,” he said. “I am a social worker and my whole 17 years in social work has committed my life to helping others.”

Mansfield said as a therapist, he has worked with a lot of people struggling with grief. One of the first rings he made was for himself, with his grandmother’s initials and her date of date of death.

“I’m not sure I had properly grieved her death,” Mansfield said. “Now I think of her daily, because I always look down at the ring.”

In addition to focusing on memories, Mansfield said part of his idea with creating the memorial ring was to encourage a release of bottled-up emotions.

“The ring helps folks remember, and people asking about the ring enables the person to talk about their loss,” he said. “I know this works, because many people have asked me about my ring.”

Mansfield’s rings had a similar impact on his mother Linda, when she lost her mother – Mansfield’s grandmother – in April.

“Rings For Recovery and Donnie has helped me a lot through my grief,” Linda said. “My lovely mom died April 3 of this year and we were very close. Even though I worked, I saw my mom every day. When she passed, it left a hole in my heart. It was so hard for me. Donnie made me two rings: one had my mom’s name on it and one had a cross on it. My faith and the cross reminds me I will some day see her again, in heaven. The other ring reminds me of her beautiful name, and how much she means to me. Thanks to my son Donnie for helping me through my grief. I love my rings and what they stand for. Thanks Donnie and Rings For Recovery.”

“Everyone on this earth will deal with loss at some point,” Mansfield said. “It is a part of life. We want to help others by creating a personalized wooden memorial ring to help them deal with their grief.”

To order a ring, folks fill out the on-line form by visiting https://www.ringsforrecovery.com

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One local therapist and social worker Donnie Mansfield, has developed a way to help combat the feelings of grief. He has started “Rings for Recovery”, in Greenville. It is a free program to Darke County residents, to support those struggling to cope with grief and loss. He requests those outside of the county to make a donation for shipping and supplies. Each ring is hand-crafted out of red oak with a walnut oil finish and takes about an hour to craft.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_ring1.jpgOne local therapist and social worker Donnie Mansfield, has developed a way to help combat the feelings of grief. He has started “Rings for Recovery”, in Greenville. It is a free program to Darke County residents, to support those struggling to cope with grief and loss. He requests those outside of the county to make a donation for shipping and supplies. Each ring is hand-crafted out of red oak with a walnut oil finish and takes about an hour to craft. Courtesy photos

One local therapist and social worker Donnie Mansfield, has developed a way to help combat the feelings of grief. He has started “Rings for Recovery”, in Greenville. It is a free program to Darke County residents, to support those struggling to cope with grief and loss. He requests those outside of the county to make a donation for shipping and supplies. Each ring is hand-crafted out of red oak with a walnut oil finish and takes about an hour to craft.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_ring2.jpgOne local therapist and social worker Donnie Mansfield, has developed a way to help combat the feelings of grief. He has started “Rings for Recovery”, in Greenville. It is a free program to Darke County residents, to support those struggling to cope with grief and loss. He requests those outside of the county to make a donation for shipping and supplies. Each ring is hand-crafted out of red oak with a walnut oil finish and takes about an hour to craft. Courtesy photos

By Carolyn Harmon

[email protected]

The writer may be reached at 937-569-4354. Join the conversation and get updates on Facebook search Darke County Sports or Advocate 360. For more features online go to dailyadvocate.com.

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