It’s only natural that after 6 years of caring for children with shortened life expectancies that we serve a lot of families whose children have passed. Every Crescent Cove family is welcome to return to any of our events, to visit our Home and to remember their child with love.

It was wonderful to reconnect with many of them at our 2024 Spring Fling, which took place at Crescent Cove this May. We welcome the family of an infant who passed away at Crescent Cove in February of this year, saying how nice it was to see George’s family again. His mom Jennifer commented, “This is the only place that will ever know us as George’s parents.” George only lived to be 95 days old, not long enough to have a daycare, a preschool, or school where teachers and children would know his name.

Another bereaved parent debated whether or not she wanted to come to this event. Her daughter, Ashley,  had been coming to Crescent Cove for respite care since we opened in 2018. She brought smiles and joy to our Home with each visit, and we were saddened to learn of her unexpected passing at home last year. Her mom Wendy anticipated feeling sad when she came to our Spring Fling, but found that she was not. “This place was a source of great happiness for my daughter,” Wendy said, “I think of her and miss her every day no matter where I am. There is nothing sad about coming to Crescent Cove. I’m so glad I came.”

Other parents commented to us about how much they valued Crescent Cove. "Can you teach others to love my child the way your team does?" one parent asked our founder, Katie. 

Other guests enjoyed delicious barbecue meals provided by Papa K’s Rescue BBQ food truck, which is owned and operated by a Crescent Cove family, and ice cream from the Blue Moo Ice Cream truck. Volunteers set up games to win prizes and crafts for kids to enjoy, while others created giant bubbles near the lake. Bubbles floated over the Home to tickle the noses of kids visiting the Brooklyn Center fire truck in the parking lot.

Before we knew it, all the barbecue had been eaten, the ice cream savored, and the games were done. As the sun got low in the sky, volunteers packed up their games and prizes that remained and left for the evening. Until our next event.

View photos from our Spring Fling event here.