When I was 19 and my sister was 16, our mom Kathy died after a sudden aneurysm and nearly two months in the ICU. No matter how much time you have to brace for it, nothing can. What carried us through was community: the people who grieved with us, sat with us, laughed with us, and made sure we didn't have to carry it alone. Even with that, you learn to build a new life around the loss. No kid should have to figure that out alone.

Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC gives grieving kids that same kind of community. It's a free, full-day camp for children ages 6 to 17 who have lost someone they love, blending the fun of a regular camp day with grief-focused groups and therapeutic sessions led by licensed therapists. Caregivers take part too, because grief, and the support for it, extends to the whole family. This summer I have the privilege to be one of the trained volunteers.

My mom put others before herself for as long as I can remember. As a member of the Board of Directors at LA's Downtown Women's Center, she spent Mother's Day volunteering so the mothers they served had a day worth celebrating. Over the holidays, she'd bring our family, family friends, and anyone she could along to pack boxes of food with One Voice for families around LA. She carried those values into every room she walked into and inspired those around her to do the same. After she died, SiriusXM created Project KIND, Kathy Inspires Nice Deeds, giving employees five paid days a year to volunteer with a nonprofit of their choice.

Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC is one of the ways I choose to remember her.

Whether or not you've lost someone close, you probably know that what gets you through is the people who stand beside you while time passes. That's what your donation pays for: a free day of fun and support for kids who need to know they aren't alone.

I'm hoping to raise at least $5500, and across all the camp volunteers we're working toward $85,000, with every dollar going to keep camp free for the kids who need it. No matter your reason for giving, I appreciate you and your support more than I can put into words.

Love,

Nic