Our 2nd Annual memorial event will take place, Saturday, October 5th, 2019, in Lakeland, FL at Frescos, 7pm-midnight.
This all began last year, 2018, as we came up on the one year anniversary of Noah’s passing. For us, as his family and friends, the date is painful, tragic and a terrible reminder, yet ironically, because Noah was an organ donor – the same date was a gift of life to others. People who received some of his vital organs, infants who were able to have grafts done who were born with heart defects, and US Military veterans who had limbs reconstructed due to injuries sustained in the line of duty – for them, the date means celebration, relief and blessings.
Noah was not a selifsh young man. He always put others first and would lay down his life defending someone else. As the date approached us in 2018, it suddenly dawned on us to have a memorial, but make it a celebration of his life, his dreams, the things he cherished and respected and most importantly to celebrate with those whose lives were changed for the good, because of his choice to be an organ donor.
It was such a success, with people arriving to honor him along with the blessing of his heart donor who drove with his family to be there to share the evening with us. People made open donations and gave ridiculous amounts for simple t-shirts, all to contribute to our First Responder Scholarship Program. It was such an outpouring of support for Noah’s memory.
We chose to hold it annually so as our foundation grows, the date can become a day we celebrate those around us. Those who give tirelessly to our communities and country as first responders and/or veterans. Noah was not a conceited person and would never have understood why anyone would hold an annual memorial for him, but a day to honor those who he held in such high regard, now THAT he could get behind and be proud of.
This year we have chosen to support the K9 Units of Polk County, Florida. The canine officers/deputies/troopers are generally issued standard issue vests which provides some protection. However, ballistic vests are what is needed to protect them. These types of vests are usually donated by outside groups and private citizens.
We will be starting with Polk Sheriff’s Office K9 unit to help contribute to funds so all 20 dogs which need ballistic level vests, may receive them. It is our honor to be able to do so to show our appreciation for a department that has the largest square footage of county jurisdiction in our state, protecting and serving our community 24/7.
We have also set up a GoFundMe effort simply to allow residents of Polk County to be able to participate in the cause. Not everyone knew our son, nor will everyone attend our event, however – everyone who wants to, will be able to kick in $5, $10, $20 or whatever amount their household is comfortable donating. It’s a great cause to protect dogs who are not only their human partner’s source of service and protection, but they truly become friends just as our own dogs do in our households. We count on ours and would do anything for them. We should feel the same towards these K9 officers who protect their human officers and us at all times.
https://www.gofundme.com/pcso-k9-ballistic-vests
