10 Years and Going Strong

It has a bittersweet year for us at the Foundation, as this year marked our 10th Annual Halle Grace Toy Drive and it was bigger, brighter, and more sparkly than ever. But it also means we have been missing our girl for a decade! How is that even possible? There are times it feels like yesterday we were giggling over a game of Apples to Apples or rocking out to the newest Taylor Swift song in her bedroom. But life has gone on and we are now 10 years since she left this world at the age of 15. Despite the enormity of having lost Halle 10 years ago, we try out best to live each day to the fullest and celebrate her legacy through the work we do. In true Halle fashion, we went all out—collecting nearly 1,500 toys across three states to bring smiles to kids in hospitals across the country. That’s 1,500 reasons to dance, like Halle.

Our foundation is now active in several states, Florida, Connecticut, Wisconsin, and Illinois, as Halle's friends and family work to spread the sparkle in their respective regions. Halle was blessed with two of the best friends a girl could ask for, Lizzie and Caitlin and these girls, along with their family and friends have expanded the impact the foundation has made and worked to spread sparkle along the way.

Let’s take a little tour of the sparkle trail for the 10th Annual Halle Grace Toy Drive…

First Stop: Tampa, Florida – Bright and Early!

While most people were still snoozing, Lizzie, Tracey, Maya, and Gram were out the door at 7:00 a.m., coffee in hand and cars packed to the roof with toys! They delivered the first round of joy to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, spreading love, giggles, and armloads of fuzzy, glittery, huggable goodness. The early bird gets the… unicorn plushie?

Next Stop: Connecticut – Storytime & Sparkles

Later that day, Mom, Dad, and Neeley loaded up and hit the road for Connecticut Children’s Hospital. And this stop? Pure magic. 💫 Mary from the Child Life team had read all about Halle on our website and asked to hear more. We got to share many Halle memories, her favorite toys and even some of the sassy dance moves she was known for. We love sharing lots of Halle-goodness with others.

Final Stop: Chicago – Big Boxes, Big Hearts

Meanwhile, up north, Caitlin and her amazing Pfizer crew were doing their own version of Santa’s workshop. From Wisconsin to Lurie Children’s Hospital in

Chicago, they delivered a mountain (yes, a literal mountain) of toys. We’re talking boxes stacked like building blocks of joy! Because sparkle always travels best in bulk.

Dinner and a Family Dance Party

After a day full of deliveries and happy tears, we wrapped it all up with Halle’s favorite dinner and dessert. Salmon was on the menu (even Lily got in on the action) and of course, something sweet and sugary to finish, oreos and jelly bellies - if you know, you know.

Ten Years of Sparkle

I still can't believe it’s been TEN years of toy drives in Halle’s honor? That’s ten years of turning grief into giving, heartache into hope, and missing her into movement. Every doll, book, and action figure we deliver is to keep our promise to Halle - she will never be forgotten, and we will continue to say her name, Halle Grace.

To everyone who donated, delivered, sorted, lifted, loved, and laughed with us—thank you. You’re part of this beautiful story, and we couldn’t do it without you.

*Announcement: The Halle Grace Foundation will be announcing a new endeavor soon! Strength Happens: Real Friends. Real Talk. Real Life. This podcast is about two friends who share what happens when life hands you the unexpected- rare diagnoses of our unique kiddos. Janine and I found that strength through a forged friends that began two decades ago when our girls were in preschool. Find us where podcasts are played!