Forrest Spence Fund

Board Member Bio-Brittany Spence

davidspence — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:28:44 +0000

My name is Brittany Spence and I am the proud mother of Robert Forrest Spence who inspired my husband and I to start this Fund. Forrest was our first child born on September 10, 2007. (You can read more about him on the About Us section of our website.) Those 55 days were the hardest days of our lives. We watched as he struggled each day to live. There is nothing more painful than feeling helpless to help the one person in this world you would give your life for. We spent every minute of every day praying he would survive but ultimately after 55 days at Le Bonheur, he went to be with the Lord. The weekend of his homecoming, David told me his idea to start a Fund in memory of Forrest. At the time I couldn’t think of anything but the fact that we were losing our son. David continued to talk about it and by the time we were planning the funeral a few short days later, this dream of his was in action. The Forrest Spence Fund was born. We thought this would be something little we could do to give back to a hospital that gave us 55 beautiful days with our son. We never had any idea how big the Fund would grow.

I can truly say the Forrest Spence Fund is one of the greatest joys in my life (besides my family). I have the privilege of being on the front lines for the Fund. I spend one day a week at Le Bonheur mentoring families going through difficult situations with their children. I am there to offer words of encouragement, a shoulder to cry on, a person to vent to, and a person to celebrate the small and big joys with. I have been there and know the highs and lows that come with the hospitalization of your child. The Fund helps these families in so many ways. We provide supplies to make their stay easier. We offer counseling to families going through the struggles. We help with bills when times are tough. The list is endless and I am so proud of the Fund and what it can offer to others.

The Forrest Spence Fund board is made up of big thinkers and dreamers. We have big dreams for the Fund and how it can help others in the Mid-South and hopefully one day, in the country. Thank you for being a part of our dreams, for making them a reality and giving back to something I truly believe in.

Board Member Bio - Gregg Smith

davidspence — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:07:49 +0000

My name is Gregg Smith and I’m a Forrest Spence Fund Board Member. I’m married to Valerie Hyde Smith and we have two children–Witt, 6 and Emily, 5. I work in business development and strategic planning for Ritter Communications–an Arkansas-based broadband, cable and voice services provider to residences and businesses. I graduated from Ole Miss in 1990 with a degree in accounting. I help the Fund primarily with financial and administrative issues.

We are truly blessed by God that Witt and Emily are healthy. I’m fortunate to be able to witness Brittany and David’s desire and ability to support the needs of families with chronically ill children in our hospitals. The needs these parents have are unlike anything most of us with healthy children can imagine.

I’ve experienced this firsthand in 1996 when my first daughter was flown to Le Bonheur after suffering severe and ultimately fatal injuries after a drunk driver hit the car my first wife (who also died) was driving. We spent 36 hours in the PICU being supported by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals in a way that is indescribable. The love they have for these children and their families honestly defies logic for me, but they need our support and help. David and Brittany recognized this during their stay with Forrest in 2007 and decided to do something about it. The Fund gives these professionals the ability to focus on the medical needs of the children by supporting the emotional and administrative needs the family might have. Long stays at Le Bonheur are difficult enough without having to consider the small issues like a blanket left at home all the way up to critical issues like nursing needs or counseling. The Fund works to meet those needs.

It’s a privilege to help Brittany, David and the rest of the board and supporters address the needs of the sick or injured children’s families. The support and services provided by the Fund allow both the families and healthcare professionals focus on one thing–loving and helping the kids. As someone who’s been there, your support is deeply appreciated.

Board Member Bio - Laura Sessions

davidspence — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 21:34:11 +0000

My name is Laura Sessions, and I have been a member of the Forrest Spence Fund board since 2009. I serve as the secretary for the board, and I also help with registration and the financial aspect of the Forrest Spence 5K fundraiser. I am happily married to Richie Sessions and we have 3 children ages 3, 6 and 8. Shortly after we moved to Memphis in 2007, I lost my brother after a 6-month battle with cancer. That same year, I watched my friends the Spence’s walk through a similar situation when they lost Forrest. When you have a loved one that is sick in the hospital for an extended period of time it is very difficult. That is why I believe that what the fund is doing is so important. By coming alongside and supporting the non-medical needs of the ill children and their families we are providing a huge service to them. It is a time of uncertainty, stress and sadness, and through the fund we are providing them with some much needed comfort and support. I hope to see the fund continue to grow so that we can continue to provide for these families in even larger ways.

Board Member bio - William Martin

davidspence — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:28:22 +0000

My name is William Martin and at times, I’m referred to as the “Face of the Fund” due to manning the information table at last year’s exciting 5k race. Memphis is home to many generations of my family. I love continuing that legacy and currently reside in Midtown. My wife, Ashley, and I recently celebrated our second year marriage anniversary and are expecting our first child in late November or early December. I’m employed in the financial and money management industry.

I’ve known David for many years with connections of Memphis, the University of Tennessee, Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, Independent Presbyterian Church and we were roommates. David and Brittany are some of my dearest friends. It is with supreme confidence and authority, based on life experiences, I tell others about the character, integrity, drive, desire, aptitude, determination and mission of not only David and Brittany but also specifically the Forrest Spence Fund (FSF). Over the 4^th of July, I was sitting in a country church listening to a sermon from Gal 6:2 about “bearing one another’s burdens” when David, Brittany and the FSF came to mind. I remembered watching David, Brittany and Le Bonheur fighting for the life of Forrest and the depth, intensity and anguish of their struggle. In those moments, I wanted to move into that situation and help bear their burden. Now, my desire is to not only continue to come alongside the Spence’s and bear their burdens, but also to celebrate God’s Grace in their lives as well. I once looked at my wife and asked her how she felt about the life of a 55-day-old baby impacting the Kingdom more than both of our lives combined. Indeed, God had and continues to have big plans for Forrest.

Through the Spence’s experience, I recognized the FSF would move to bear the burdens of families and children in a unique and unmet manner. The FSF is an organization seeking out brokenness and need, then becoming involved in lives of others with an experiential understanding. In a radical way, the FSF address the non-medical needs of not only the family and infirmed children but of the hospital and medical staff as well. The opportunity to couple myself with friends like the Spence’s with a mission to grow from their experience and work to bear other’s burdens makes it a privilege to be board member for the Forrest Spence Fund.

I’m offering you the opportunity and inviting you to move towards need and bear another’s burden. The FSF sincerely loves your prayers, time, donations and/or participation. Come bear another’s burden so, in time, you will also celebrate God’s Grace in their lives as well. Bring your kids and family to join us for the Forrest Spence 5k and after party on August 28^th.

Board Member bio-Halley Williams

davidspence — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 01:26:32 +0000

All of the board members on the Forrest Spence Fund Board are writing a little bio about themselves so you can learn a little more about each of them. Our hope is for you see the passion we each have for the Forrest Spence Fund and helping families going through a difficult situation with their child.

My name is Halley Williams and I am a board member of the Forrest Spence Fund. I have been married to my husband and best friend, Ford, for almost 6 years. After we got married, I went to nursing school and have been practicing nursing for the last 3 years.

Ford and I got to know the Spence family when we moved to Memphis. We both attended the same church, and we lived down the street from one another for our first couple of years in Memphis. As I watched them go through the trials that they went through with Forrest, the Lord gave me a desire to help other families going through similar situations. Being a nurse, I am trained to meet both the medical and non medical needs of my patients. For the families that the Forrest Spence Fund helps, these non medical and emotional needs are very great. It has truly been an honor to be able to support and love families going through such difficult times with their children.

One of the main things that I do with the Forrest Spence Fund is I help plan the Forrest Spence 5K. The 5K is coming up on August 28 at Overton Park at 8 a.m. The 5K is one of the Fund’s biggest fundraisers and it helps us be able to provide for families with children who are critically or chronically ill. Help us help others by signing up TODAY for the Forrest Spence 5K. I promise it will be a day filled with a lot of fun for your family and a lot of hope for another family!

Volunteers Needed for the 5K

davidspence — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 19:45:08 +0000

The Forrest Spence 5K is set for August 28 at Overton Park and we are in need of volunteers. If you are interested in helping with this years race (majority of the jobs you can volunteer for and still run/walk the race) than please contact Grace Thompson at grace@robthompson.net.

Le Bonheur’s Grand Opening

davidspence — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:20:19 +0000

The last 2 days have been such a special time in the life of Le Bonheur. Yesterday they celebrated the Consecration (Blessing) of the new hospital. Numerous clergy from the Midsouth came and gave a blessing upon the building. Brittany was asked to be a part of the Consecration by leading the Parent Prayer. It was a joyous time to celebrate the many prayers that have been said over the children and staff at Le Bonheur.

Today marked the Grand Opening. June 15 was chosen because in 1952 on this day, Le Bonheur was open for the first time. 58 years later and a new incredible building was open. There was a parade and ceremony with hundreds participating. The ceremony was joyous and emotional at the same time. The new hospital is hard to put into words…Incredible…Beautiful…State of the Art…Environmentally Friendly…and a true beacon for the Midsouth.

Austin ready for the parade

Brittany and Bridgette before the parade (both members of the Family Partners Council and 9 months pregnant)

Austin and Brittany Spence after the parade (both very hot!)

Angel Dear

davidspence — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 12:43:59 +0000

We are so thankful for Angel Dear and their contribution to the Forrest Spence Fund. Last May Angel Dear made a donation of over 100 Angel Dear blankies to the Fund. Since then the Fund has passed them out to families to lay beside their sick babies. It has brought so much joy to the moms and dads to see something so soft and cuddly laying next to their child. Everything about an extended hospital stay is difficult and the blankies bring a little hope to an otherwise very bleak situation. I have seen more smiles and tears brought on by these little blankies. We are so thankful to Angel Dear and their generous donation and hope to continue our relationship with them in the future.

Visit Angel Dear to learn more about this great company.

Forrest with his 2 Angel Dear blankies that stayed beside him all 55 days of his life.

Race sponsorship

davidspence — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:19:37 +0000

We are busy working on the 2010 Forrest Spence 5K. The date is set for August 28 at Overton Park. If your family or business would like to be a sponsor, please click on the contact us page and leave a message. Someone from the board will contact you about sponsorship opportunities. This is great advertising for your business and the chance to support a wonderful mission in the Midsouth.

Le Bonheur Club Blankets

davidspence — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:46:16 +0000

The Forrest Spence Fund donated money to the Le Bonheur Club for their blanket campaign. The children on the Neuro floor at Le Bonheur receive a handmade blanket with a tag on it saying its from the Forrest Spence Fund. The Le Bonheur Teen Club did a great job making the blankets and we are honored to be part of their campaign. (The last picture is showing the backside of the tag. The paragraph tells the story of the Forrest Spence Fund along with its mission).