The Forrest Spence Fund

Our good friends, Brittany and David Spence have created the Forrest Spence Fund in memory of their son Forrest, who passed away on November 4, 2007.

The first annual Forrest Spence 5K race is being held in Memphis on Saturday, September 6, four days before what would have been Forrest's first birthday. There is an opportunity for people who cannot make it to Memphis for the race to be a "GHOST RUNNER" in the race to show your support for the Forrest Spence Fund, which benefits the Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center in Memphis. I hope you will all consider joining Tyra, Noah, and I on being "GHOST RUNNERS" in the race.

Here is some more information on the Forrest Spence Fund, and please visit the website for more stories, photos, and information on the race.

Goals of the Forrest Spence Fund

The Fund supplies a convenience basket for families with babies in the PICU who are facing an extended stay. Comfort items in the baskets include the following:

A handmade blanket
A roll of quarters for vending machines
Magazines
Lotion
Hand sanitizer
A stuffed animal
Children's books
A journal
The book "Praying the Scriptures for Your Child"
Chapstick
Baby socks
Baby hat
Notecards
A card to decorate for the baby's bed
Snacks and water

The Fund also provides for stocking the PICU wish list with items such as:

Crib mobiles
CD players
CDs
Books
Blankets
Socks
Hats
Teethers
Crib mirrors
Sound machines
Night lights
Bubbles
Stuffed animals
Goodies and treats for the PICU staff

Last year, more than 1600 children and their families were cared for in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center. With each child, there came a story. It is these stories - stories of courage, love, fear, uncertainty, healing, joy and sadness - that explain the impact that Le Bonheur and its staff can have on a child, a family, even a community and a kingdom.