Inheritance of Hope hosted 28 families in our largest-ever Orlando Legacy Retreat®. From May 27-30, 73 children and their parents enjoyed amazing customer service at the DoubleTree Suites. They had a fun-filled agenda, with one day each spent at Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld. They shared experiences with other families like theirs and learned about resources and tools to support their journey through terminal illness.

 
Check out these links to see pictures and videos!

For the first time ever, Inheritance of Hope families enjoyed an Orlando Legacy Retreat® in the luxurious accommodations of Embassy Suites by Hilton. On Feb. 24-27, 8 families from across the country had fun with 2 days at Universal Studios and a day at SeaWorld. Beyond the memories, they gained community, tools, and hope to navigate the challenges of a parent's terminal illness. 

Check out these links to see pictures and videos!

The November 2016 NYC Legacy Retreat® was our largest retreat yet in New York! 21 families braved cold and windy conditions to make priceless memories and begin forming lasting legacies. This event also marked the 25th Legacy Retreat® in our history.

Check out these links to see pictures and videos!

Tweet

When most people think about a Times Square countdown, they think of a giant ball being lowered from a tall pole in the center of New York City while millions of people count down to a new year. 

Confetti. Music. Celebration.   

Well, Inheritance of Hope is about to begin a Times Square countdown of our own, and we are going to focus on lifting the burdens and lightening the loads of 21 families from all over the country who have young children facing the loss of a parent.

Not even a hurricane could stop 17 families from enjoying our Orlando Legacy Retreat® on Oct. 8-11! Thanks to a team of dedicated and adaptable volunteers and the above-and-beyond hospitality of the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando - Disney Springs Area, families relaxed, made priceless memories, formed strong friendships, and began creating hope-filled legacies.

Check out these links see pictures and videos!

Hurricane Matthew is quickly approaching Florida’s east coast, and a bunch of hope-inspirers are leaving their comfortable homes and flying, driving, swimming their way to Orlando to serve 19 families facing storms much bigger than this hurricane.

These families have been counting down the days until their Legacy Retreat, and no hurricane is going to spoil this priceless experience for them.

Tweet

Carrey, a wife and mom with ALS, originally shared this post here on August 4th.

On this day 15 years ago, Eric and I vowed to unite as one. We joined at the altar in a small, white, Little-House-on-the-Prairie-type chapel. We stood side by side, no bridesmaids or groomsmen, no fancy flowers, no fancy musicians. My dad did all the readings, Eric's dad officiated the ceremony, and we filled the little chapel with our family and closest friends. Having Eric by my side made it a real dream wedding. As we stood at the altar and shared our vows, it would take almost 15 years to fully understand the commitment he made to me.

Carrey and Eric in 2001

"I will love you forever, and under all circumstances.
I will stand by your side always.
I will have faith in you and encourage you in everything you do.
I will be here to listen to you, to laugh with you, and to hold you.
I will strive every day to make our relationship stronger.
I will love you, honor you, respect you, encourage you, and cherish you, in health and in sickness, through sorrow and success, for all the days in my life."

What that meant was:

I will enjoy all of our friends and family with you, socializing, meeting new people, tailgating, and going to our favorite restaurant with you.
I will join you as your doubles partner in tennis and snow ski down the mountain with you.
I will support you leaving the work force to raise our children as you support me as my career developed.
I will be the behind-the-scenes guy for all of your party planning adventures.
I will support you with all your volunteer work.
I will give you free reign to decorate our home just the way you want it.
I will travel around the United States for all of your doctors' appointments.
I will remodel our home to make it accessible for you.
I will bathe you, wash your hair, and shave your legs.
I will scratch your head and eyebrows every time they itch.

Tweet

Repeat volunteer Nate Most first heard of Inheritance of Hope at a small tractor dealership in his hometown of Brady, Nebraska.  A rancher, Nate was simply doing business and was surprised when a stranger who had come in for oil approached him and told about how his own family had been blessed by an IoH Legacy Retreat^®.  The story resonated with Nate since his wife of 25 years, Amy, had been diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Tweet

I grew up in Brainerd, MN, at a small family resort where I learned to clean cabins at a very early age and got to play in the lake all summer.  I come from a family of swimmers and was a competitive swimmer form 3rd grade through college at St. Olaf in Northfield, MN.  I got a biology degree from St. Olaf and then changed directions and went to Luther Seminary in St. Paul for my master's degree in youth and family ministry.  I worked in youth ministry for 5 years before spending the last 12 years as a stay-at-home mom to our 3 kids: Anna (12), Andrew (11), and Julia (9).  My husband, Brian, and I recently celebrated our 15th anniversary.  We live in Rochester, MN, where I spend much of my day driving my own little swimmers to the pool for practice. 

How did you become involved with IoH?

Tweet

5 Things You May Not Know About Our Assistant Events Director

1. Currently I live in Houghton, NY.  My family has been here for three generations, and being back after spending most of high school and college here has been good.  My grandfather is happy to have me back in town!