A few weeks ago, Westporter Kristen Glosserman spotted an Instagram post that warmed her heart.
It was from Amanda Kloots, the noted actress, dancer, fitness entrepreneur and TV personality.
Her journey through grief has resonated with many. She lost her husband, Broadway actor Nick Cordero, to COVID in 2020, when their son was 1 year old.
But her post that day wasn’t just about grief. She wrote about chili — and about showing up for the people you love.
Kristen and her husband, Marc Glosserman, own Hill Country BBQ in New York City and Washington. They know a thing or two about slow-cooked meat.
Kristen and Marc Glosserman, at Hill Country.
Kristen also knows a thing or two about grief. When she was 13, her brother died in a ski accident.
Kristen messaged Amanda on Instagram. She then contacted fellow Westporter Sara Deren.
Sara and her husband Jon founded Experience Camps. Headquartered right here in town, the organization runs summer camps for children grieving the death of a parent or sibling.
Experience Camps has grown from 1 site and 27 youngsters in 2009, to a network of 7 camps nationwide. Each summer, hundreds of volunteers serve nearly 1,000 boys and girls ages 8 to 18.
Experience Camps also runs Grief Sucks, a digital platform for grieving teens, and Grief Quest, a virtual scavenger hunt that teaches kids how to support grieving people.
The timing was perfect. National Chili Day was coming soon: Thursday, February 27.
Two days ago, Amanda Kloots served bowls of chili at Hill Country BBQ on West 26th Street. She drew a large crowd.
And the restaurant is donating every dollar from those sales to Experience Camps.
How’s that for a heart-warming tale?!
After Amanda Kloots served chili at Hill Country …
… she posed with (from left) Kristen Glosserman and Sara Deren. (Photo/Jonathan Terrio)
