Family is all about memories. We gather around to share old memories, saying, “Remember the time when . . .?” We gather to make new memories, many that will last a lifetime. Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries’s Memory Maker Fund is all about helping families make beautiful, lasting memories together.
One foster parent, Rachel Douglas, shared her Memory Makers story with us. Rachel was caring for a girl who was about to turn twelve and was also about to transition out of Rachel’s home. To celebrate her upcoming birthday, Rachel used the Memory Makers fund to set up a huge surprise:
“I didn’t tell her where we were going at all until we got to the airport. I used Memory Makers to do Universal Studios. We had been reading the Harry Potter books together, so we went to Hogwarts and got to do all the exciting Harry Potter things and ride roller coasters,” Rachel said.
Memory Makers helps alleviate the financial stress that can come with planning fun trips and outings and allows families to just enjoy the moment and each other. “It made it not so worrisome budget-wise for me. I was able to just think about making the memories and focus on her,” said Rachel.
Our Memory Makers Fund allows foster families to submit requests to cover the cost of activity/sports registration fees, any equipment or clothing needed for sports/activities, costs associated with family trips, and more! Another Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries foster parent, Brittany McCaskey, shared, “Memory Makers has been an amazing, unexpected blessing for our family. We have been able to go to an NFL game out of state, send our kids to church camp this summer, as well as cover the cost of registration for our girls’ summer softball leagues.”
Brittany continued, “These seemingly small experiences in our kids’ lives serve as amazing memories for the rest of their lives. With Memory Makers, we are able to have fun experiences with our children—expenses covered.”
With every Memory Makers request that is granted, a new footprint of bonding and love is forged onto the trail of each family member’s heart. “I really think trips like these are once in a lifetime for some of these kids. It was unforgettable for me, and I know equally as unforgettable for her,” said Rachel.
Each year hundreds of supporters donate to our Memory Makers Fund to ensure children in foster care can make lasting, fun, and enriching memories. If you are interested in donating to our Memory Makers fund, visit coyotehill.org/memory-makers.
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