Forrest Spence Fund

Having a party…

David Spence — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:22:05 +0000

Are you hosting a party and looking for a way for people to give back? How about asking everyone to bring 1 item to go towards a basket? Everyone could bring a package of water or chap-stick, a box of snacks or a notepad, a baby blanket or socks. There are lots of items you could pick from. If your child is having a party than each child could make a scrapbook card for the parents to put their child’s name on and place on their bed. There are lots of ways to give back and we would love to help you figure out how.

If you would like to find out more information than please contact Donna at donna@forrestspencefund.com.

Thank you

David Spence — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:01:52 +0000

2011 was quite a year for the Forrest Spence Fund. We welcomed a new Event-Volunteer Coordinator, Donna Nash, who is such an asset to the Fund. We are so thankful for Donna and the hard work she puts in everyday to make sure the Fund is helping others in the Mid South. We also had the privilege of adding Betsey Bailey as our bookkeeper. Betsey has been a lifesaver in helping with the finances, and we are so thankful that she is willing to do it on a volunteer basis. What a gift and blessing these two ladies are to the Forrest Spence Fund.

We also want to say thank you to all the volunteers that make the programs at the Fund run smoothly. We couldn’t give back and help the many families we do without the help of volunteers. We appreciate each of you.

Thank you to the many people who gave generously to the Forrest Spence Fund. Thank you for believing in us and our mission. We are committed to utilizing your donations the best way possible to make sure families in the Mid South are impacted in the most positive way.

Thank you to our Board of Directors. Halley Williams, Gregg Smith, and William Martin. Thank you for your time, wisdom, and vision. We are where we are because of each of you. So thank you.

And last but not least, thank you to our precious son, Robert Forrest Spence. Because of your life and the impact it made on us, we are forever changed and will continue to make it our mission to give back to others in need. Thank you for leaving an impact and legacy that will continue to reach beyond anything we ever imagined. We love you and miss you.

Happy New Year and we look forward to what 2012 has in store.

Sincerely,

Brittany and David Spence

More gifts for the Sibling Playroom

David Spence — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:17:28 +0000

Another precious family contacted the Fund about wanting to donate items to the Forrest Sibling Playroom this Christmas. Their family went shopping and let their son pick out items that he thought the kids would enjoy playing with. They then made a trip down to Le Bonheur to drop their gifts off. What a wonderful way to teach your children about giving. Let them be a part of the shopping and donating. Thank you Borck family for thinking of the Forrest Sibling Playroom this Christmas. We are thankful for you.

Some of the gifts that were donated. What a precious giving heart.

Gifts for the PICU at Le Bonheur

David Spence — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:51:07 +0000

The PICU at Le Bonheur has started a new tradition of “No one should eat hamburgers on Christmas”. The PICU staff brings Christmas food for the families to enjoy a delicious meal on Christmas day. They also collect presents for the families. This year the FSF contributed some gifts for the families. We purchased baby dolls, nerf guns, matchbox cars, blankets, crayons, coloring books, and a lot more. We hope this will bring some joy to the families on Christmas day.

Mike, the PICU Director with all the Christmas gifts from the Fund

Le Bonheur Christmas Dinner

David Spence — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:26:23 +0000

This past Monday night the staff and volunteers of the Forrest Spence Fund hosted a Christmas dinner for the families in patient at Le Bonheur. The food was delicious and the volunteers and staff were so helpful and kind. We can’t imagine how difficult it must be to have a child in the hospital over the holidays so we hope our dinner brought a little hope and joy into their lives.

Wonderful volunteers

Ready to serve the delicious dinner

delicious cupcakes made by nurse Ruth

children's books given to the families

ready for the families to come

Volunteer Newsletter

David Spence — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:13:23 +0000

The Volunteer Newsletter for Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital was just sent out and an article and picture about the Parent Mentor Program Brittany started were on page 2 and 3. Click the words below (November 2011) to read about the program.

November 2011

Great Christmas gifts

David Spence — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:19:01 +0000

The Fund recently had a mother contact us about giving Christmas gifts to her children’s teachers by giving to the Fund in their honor. What a wonderful idea. The Fund made up 20 notecards, one for each teacher, that stated a donation had been given in their honor to the FSF. The card also thanked them for being a wonderful music, art, homeroom, etc. teacher. At the bottom of the card it stated the mission of the FSF. What a great gift idea for those special people in your life. A great way to bless another life while honoring someone special. Please contact Brittany at brittany@forrestspencefund.com if you are interested in donating to the Fund for Christmas gifts this year.

Giving instead of Receiving

David Spence — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:04:51 +0000

The Fund was contacted recently about a precious almost 6 year old wanting to give to the Forrest Sibling Room at Le Bonheur instead of receiving birthday presents. What a servant heart even at the young age of 5. His birthday theme was Harry Potter and his mother did an amazing job on the theme. Everything was amazing! At the end of the party, they gathered all the gifts brought for the Sibling Room and made a special trip to Le Bonheur for him to personally give the gifts to the children. What a precious gift that he gave on his birthday instead of received.

At his Harry Potter themed birthday party.

Dropping off the supplies at the Forrest Sibling Playroom.

Forrest Sibling Playroom-note from the coordinator

David Spence — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:36:28 +0000

*This is a note from the Coordinator of the Forrest Sibling Playroom. We are so thankful that the room is being used to help families in their time of need.

I am the Child Life Activity Coordinator for the Forrest Sibling Playroom. On behalf of Child Life, I would like to thank the Forrest Spence Fund for all you have done for Le Bonheur. You all have extended your hands of generosity, making it possible for the Forrest Sibling Playroom to exist. Since the door has opened, you have made a tremendous impact on the many diverse families with urgent childcare needs during a time when families need it most. Your acts of kindness has even prompted a noble 6 year old child to give toys in lieu of gifts for his birthday party!

FedEx Family House Dinner

David Spence — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:40:53 +0000

The Forrest Spence Fund treated the families at the FedEx Family House to a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. The wonderful volunteers served the families turkey, ham, green beans, stuffing, pies, and drinks. We are so thankful for this wonderful facility that houses and loves on families while their child is admitted at Le Bonheur. It really is a home…a place of refuge for these families and we at the Forrest Spence Fund are honored to be a Good Neighbor to them.