AND THE GRAND TOTAL IS… $22,438.00! WOW!!
It is not too often that we are speechless, especially Chris, but when we hit the total button and this number popped up we were both truly speechless.
As we started to reflect on this year though we started to become less surprised. We have had such an incredible amount of support, generosity and truly passionate people who wanted to do whatever they could to help. All of this help is what lead us to this unbelievable total and we are truly and utterly grateful to each and every person who sponsored the event, made a prize donation, volunteered their time, played in the tournament, attended the Charity Social, who shared one of our Facebook posts, who spoke Grace’s name and told someone about Emily’s House. Each and every one of these acts means so much to Chris and I.
As much as Hockey for Grace gives us the amazing opportunity to create a legacy for Grace beyond our grief and to raise funds and awareness for Emily’s House it is also a huge undertaking not only in the planning of it but in the emotional toll it can take. However when we look out onto the ice and see Grace’s footprints skating around for two days of hockey, when someone comes up to us and asks us to tell them about our daughter, when other families who have suffered losses find inspiration to create their own legacies for their children or to talk about their loss, when we get to speak our daughters name in only a loving and happy way all the hard work and every tear is worth it. Thank you to everyone involved for giving this beautiful gift to Chris and I.
And last but not least thank you for supporting Emily’s House. They are the place you never want to have to go but are so thankful it exists should you ever need it. They allow every child that arrives to experience love, laughter and this beautiful world. They ensure families have memories and stories to look back on, and are there to support in the hardest and darkest of times. We don’t know where we would be had it not been for Emily’s House so thank you for allowing us to give back and ensure their doors are open for those families that will need them.
We said it last year and it still rings true this year. When we lost Grace we didn’t know how we’d make it through a day let alone a lifetime without her. It was a daunting and heartbreaking task. Our biggest fear was that our daughter would be forgotten, that people wouldn’t speak her name or remember the 8 days she was here with us. Our hearts are full because Hockey for Grace and all the incredible people who came out made sure this wasn’t and will never be the case.
We are excited to share that the money raised will not only help Emily’s House provide their incredible services, love and compassion but it will also go to fund the special projects, activities and events that Emily’s House provides for children and their families at end-of-life care. This means that families staying at Emily’s House can partake in their own adventures like we did with Grace allowing them to make memories that will last a lifetime.
They say it takes a village to raise a child. Although Grace may not be here we are still living our lives showing her our love. Thank you for being part of our village, we couldn’t have done this without you.
With full hearts
Amy & Chris 