Index

Congratulations and Many Thanks To
Steve & Stephanie Crump, winners of the guitar!

Hand Signed Guitar and Hand Signed CD of Latest Album Released On 02/03/09 by The Fray. Also, 8x10 Photo of Band Signing the Guitar!

Our heartfelt appreciation to:

The Fray www.thefray.net
Dave Donley of Donley's Music www.donleysmusic.com
Star 94 Radio Station www.star94.com

LOOK FOR REMEMBER THE RAINBOWS ON FACEBOOK & SUPPORT OUR CAUSE!
As of right now, we have 250 Facebook Members who have joined the cause. Please help us raise awareness of this very important program by joining today!

Collin James Huggins

A family begins a lifelong journey when their child is diagnosed with cancer and it is one that does not end when the battle is lost.

The pain of losing a child is felt forever.

For the families who are living the unthinkable, please know that you are not alone...we will walk with you as your journey now leads you down the
longest road of all...
remembering the rainbows.

DID YOU KNOW?

A Family Who Loses A Child To Pediatric Cancer Often:

· Loses the network of support they grew to depend on during the illness, intensifying their feelings of loss.

· Can be left financially devastated.

· Want to share memories of their child, yet fear they will become a burden to others.

· Worry their child will be forgotten.

· Find it difficult to support one another as each family member struggles to cope. This can sometimes lead to destructive behaviors.

We have found that siblings need an extra dose of love and support following the loss of a brother or sister. During treatment, they are often cared for by family and friends which can leave them feeling alone and forgotten. The sick child tends to receive an abundance of gifts and attention from the community, while the sibling, unintentionally of course, becomes almost invisible. This can lead to jealousy, often followed by guilt, particularly following the child's death.

It is the goal of Remember the Rainbows to make every child who attends our events feel special. We want them to know, they are just as important as the child who is now with us only in spirit.

For these reasons and more, services such as ours are critical to the emotional well-being of the family, as they are given the much needed time to reconnect in an environment that is fun and enjoyable for all.

Through your support, we are able to provide these opportunities for healing at no cost to the bereaved families.

TOGETHER WE CAN HELP PUT A SMILE
ON A FACE THAT HAS CRIED MANY TEARS!

Your Donation Dollars At Work...

This Is Why We Do What We Do:
To See A Smile On The Face Of A
Father With A Broken Heart

Please Help Us
Continue Our Efforts By
Donating
Today Through Our Secure Site
Hosted By FirstGiving.

Your Donation Is Tax Deductible
And
A Receipt Can Be Printed For Your Records Immediately

As adults, we cannot begin to comprehend why an innocent child has been stricken with cancer nor the enormous feeling of loss should the child not survive. Harder still, try being the parent who has to explain it all to a child. We cannot begin to express enough our appreciation for your support which allows these families wonderful opportunities to be surrounded by others who understand - without needing to explain - where they are, where they have been. Life as before no longer exists for these families; but together, we can help bring them hope for the future.

Remember the Rainbows is a 100% volunteer run, 501(c)(3), non-profit charity, founded in 2004, in memory of Collin James Huggins, a six-year-old who lost his battle with leukemia in 2003. Our organization is unique in that we offer recreational support to families who have suffered the unthinkable - the loss of a child to pediatric cancer. We've found there are many excellent organizations that provide support to the child and family during an illness, but continued support is very limited when the outcome of an illness is not what the family had hoped for. Remember the Rainbows will pick up where other organizations must leave off by providing families with opportunities to laugh and play together, allowing them to bond as they learn to live as a changed family.

Some of the events we offer include a weekend retreat where families are treated to fun-filled activities such as swimming, hiking, games and a talent show throughout the weekend; outings to theme parks, ballgames, movies, picnics, etc. Activities such as these allow families time to reconnect in a casual environment where they can interact, on their on terms, with other families that are in similar situations.

Honor the Life or Memory of
Someone You Love By
Donating
To
Rememember the Rainbows
Today

Jeremiah Lost His Battle With Stage IV Neuroblastoma on 08/24/02. Read, in his mother's own words, how Remember the Rainbows is making a difference in the lives of the families we serve:

Remember the Rainbows gives us a unique opportunity to gather with other parents, like ourselves, who have lost children to cancer. By sharing the life of our child with others, we find comfort in knowing that the legacy of our child lives on. We no longer feel alone in our battle to live life without our child, and we find hope that, together, we can keep moving forward. Remember the Rainbows gives us this invaluable opportunity to bond together through our grief, in a setting that is free of the hassles of the rest of the world."
Amber Herman, Mother of Jeremiah

What Other Families Are Saying:

"I have no family here at all. Remember the Rainbows feels like family. We are all connected through our loss as well as the need to remember the beloved and departed kids. I also feel again that somehow, as I do not have other kids, somebody knows about me, that I am a mom. A childless mom, but a mom." Geta Stanescu, Mother of Ora

"Remember the Rainbows met some emotional needs I didn't even know I had! I do feel safe and comfortable. I think everyone assumes that women find it easier to speak about their feelings, but I don't. Being with the other families in casual activities gives us a chance to get to know one another before we expose our vulnerable side." From a dad's perspective, Nikki states that her husband, Terry, likes the casual atmosphere and not feeling pressured to participate or share feelings in a formal/group setting. "I think I would tell other Dad's not to stress out about attending. There's no pressure to share, but you might just meet someone you have a lot in common with!"
Nikki Hampton, Mother of Culter

"I just wanted to say THANK YOU!!! for inviting me and my family to participate in the Remember The Rainbows retreat. We really had an awesome time. I personally enjoyed being around the other family members who really understand my feelings and don't mind hearing me REPEAT myself over and over again. My son, Mike, was not only my son, he was my friend, companion. He knew how to make a smile come across my face." Erica Godfrey, Mother of "Big Mike"

"I don't feel out of place when I'm speaking of my son, Dana. My children love the activities...and the staff treats them really great."
Candis Smith, Mother of Dana

"I wish I could live here forever."
Alexa T. Sister to Dani

Annika H.'s drawing of her Superhero brother, Coulter, as an angel.

Notice the similarity between Annika's drawing of her brother as an angel and that Collin drew of himself. It certainly raises the question,
"Could He Have Known?"

The Story Behind Our Logo

A short time before Collin Huggins' final relapse, he drew the above picture of his family. His picture is typical stick figures....Mom and Dad with a child in the middle. All three are holding hands with big smiles on their faces. In the bottom corner of the picture, however, there is a much smaller stick figure surrounded by a circle of dots, also wearing a big smile. At the time, Collin's mom was pregnant with his baby brother, Josh. Naturally she assumed the unborn baby to be the smaller stick figure and Collin as the child in the middle. Collin corrected her by saying "No mommy, Josh is in the middle." Referring to the circle Collin added, "That's me, I'm watching you." It wasn't until after Collin's passing that perhaps the real meaning of his picture was understood. Could it be that somehow Collin knew what was to come and in his childlike innocence, tried to prepare his family? Perhaps he needed his family to know, although he would no longer be physically present, he would always be with them in spirit, and its okay for them to laugh and play again. With this vision in mind, Remember the Rainbows was born.

Many times, when the end of a child's life comes, it is difficult for them to let go because they worry about parents and siblings. More than anything, they don't want them to feel sad. The goal of Remember the Rainbows is to help Collin, and the countless other children lost to cancer, rest easier by bringing smiles to the families who miss them so very much.

We believe those who earned their angel wings far too soon, are flying high above the rainbows now, smiling as they watch over the families who will forever love them.

Collin's Drawing Comes To Life As His Family Attends Our Inaugural Retreat, July 17, 2005 On What Would Have Been Collin's 8th Birthday....
There Is No Doubt He Was, And Always Will Be, With Us In Spirit Along With All Children Lost To Cancer Whose Families We Serve.

KINDNESS...PASS IT ON!

OUR ANNUAL FUND DRIVE IS NOW IN PROGRESS!
WE NEED YOUR HELP IN REACHING OR EXCEEDING OUR GOAL OF
$25,000.00 FOR 2009

OR, TWO MORE WAYS YOU CAN HELP:

1) Send a letter via US mail to everyone you know,
asking for their support of this very important cause. Click here for a sample of text you can copy and paste into your word editing software (ex. Microsoft Word)

2) Click Here to Access Our Fundraising Site Powered by FirstGiving.com. The fastest and easiest way to spread the word. Simply create your own Personal Fundraising Page where you can add your own photos and text explaining why this cause is important to you. Then forward to your email contact list! No Time to create your own page? That's okay! Just forward this link (http://firstgiving.org/remembertherainbows) for the page we have created!

SHOP ONLINE THROUGH AMAZON.COM TO SUPPORT OUR CAUSE! Read more below...

Another Way You Can Support Remember the Rainbows is to shop online with Amazon.com through the link below and a portion of your sale will be donated to our cause!

Remember the Rainbows, A Recreational Grief Support Program for Georgia Families Who Have Lost A Child To Pediatric Cancer

A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Public Charity Founded In 2004
In Loving Memory of Collin James Huggins
Tax ID# 74-3121909

Remember the Rainbows, Inc
1327 Willow Tree Drive
Woodstock GA 30188
Copy Right 2009





Congratulations and Many Thanks To Steve & Stephanie Crump, winners of the guitar! Hand Signed Guitar and Hand Signed CD of Latest Album Released On 02/03/09 by The Fray. Also, 8x10 Photo of Band Signing the Guitar! Our heartfelt appreciation to: The Fray www.thefray.net Dave Donley of Donley's Music www.donleysmusic.com Star 94 Radio Station www.star94.com LOOK FOR REMEMBER THE RAINBOWS ON FACEBOOK & SUPPORT OUR CAUSE! As of right now, we have 250 Facebook Members who have joined the cause. Please help us raise awareness of this very important program by joining today!		Collin James Huggins *A family begins a lifelong journey when their child is diagnosed with cancer and it is one that does not end when the battle is lost. The pain of losing a child is felt forever. For the families who are living the unthinkable, please know that you are not alone...we will walk with you as your journey now leads you down the longest road of all... remembering the rainbows. DID YOU KNOW?* A Family Who Loses A Child To Pediatric Cancer Often: · Loses the network of support they grew to depend on during the illness, intensifying their feelings of loss. · Can be left financially devastated. · Want to share memories of their child, yet fear they will become a burden to others. · Worry their child will be forgotten. · Find it difficult to support one another as each family member struggles to cope. This can sometimes lead to destructive behaviors. We have found that siblings need an extra dose of love and support following the loss of a brother or sister. During treatment, they are often cared for by family and friends which can leave them feeling alone and forgotten. The sick child tends to receive an abundance of gifts and attention from the community, while the sibling, unintentionally of course, becomes almost invisible. This can lead to jealousy, often followed by guilt, particularly following the child's death. It is the goal of Remember the Rainbows to make every child who attends our events feel special. We want them to know, they are just as important as the child who is now with us only in spirit. For these reasons and more, services such as ours are critical to the emotional well-being of the family, as they are given the much needed time to reconnect in an environment that is fun and enjoyable for all. Through your support, we are able to provide these opportunities for healing at no cost to the bereaved families.


TOGETHER WE CAN HELP PUT A SMILE ON A FACE THAT HAS CRIED MANY TEARS!



Your Donation Dollars At Work... This Is Why We Do What We Do: To See A Smile On The Face Of A Father With A Broken Heart Please Help Us Continue Our Efforts By Donating Today Through Our Secure Site Hosted By FirstGiving. Your Donation Is Tax Deductible And A Receipt Can Be Printed For Your Records Immediately As adults, we cannot begin to comprehend why an innocent child has been stricken with cancer nor the enormous feeling of loss should the child not survive. Harder still, try being the parent who has to explain it all to a child. We cannot begin to express enough our appreciation for your support which allows these families wonderful opportunities to be surrounded by others who understand - without needing to explain - where they are, where they have been. Life as before no longer exists for these families; but together, we can help bring them hope for the future.

Remember the Rainbows is a 100% volunteer run, 501(c)(3), non-profit charity, founded in 2004, in memory of Collin James Huggins, a six-year-old who lost his battle with leukemia in 2003. Our organization is unique in that we offer recreational support to families who have suffered the unthinkable - the loss of a child to pediatric cancer. We've found there are many excellent organizations that provide support to the child and family during an illness, but continued support is very limited when the outcome of an illness is not what the family had hoped for. Remember the Rainbows will pick up where other organizations must leave off by providing families with opportunities to laugh and play together, allowing them to bond as they learn to live as a changed family. Some of the events we offer include a weekend retreat where families are treated to fun-filled activities such as swimming, hiking, games and a talent show throughout the weekend; outings to theme parks, ballgames, movies, picnics, etc. Activities such as these allow families time to reconnect in a casual environment where they can interact, on their on terms, with other families that are in similar situations.
	Honor the Life or Memory of Someone You Love By Donating To Rememember the Rainbows Today Jeremiah Lost His Battle With Stage IV Neuroblastoma on 08/24/02. Read, in his mother's own words, how Remember the Rainbows is making a difference in the lives of the families we serve: Remember the Rainbows gives us a unique opportunity to gather with other parents, like ourselves, who have lost children to cancer. By sharing the life of our child with others, we find comfort in knowing that the legacy of our child lives on. We no longer feel alone in our battle to live life without our child, and we find hope that, together, we can keep moving forward. Remember the Rainbows gives us this invaluable opportunity to bond together through our grief, in a setting that is free of the hassles of the rest of the world." Amber Herman, Mother of Jeremiah What Other Families Are Saying: "I have no family here at all. Remember the Rainbows feels like family. We are all connected through our loss as well as the need to remember the beloved and departed kids. I also feel again that somehow, as I do not have other kids, somebody knows about me, that I am a mom. A childless mom, but a mom." Geta Stanescu, Mother of Ora "Remember the Rainbows met some emotional needs I didn't even know I had! I do feel safe and comfortable. I think everyone assumes that women find it easier to speak about their feelings, but I don't. Being with the other families in casual activities gives us a chance to get to know one another before we expose our vulnerable side." From a dad's perspective, Nikki states that her husband, Terry, likes the casual atmosphere and not feeling pressured to participate or share feelings in a formal/group setting. "I think I would tell other Dad's not to stress out about attending. There's no pressure to share, but you might just meet someone you have a lot in common with!" Nikki Hampton, Mother of Culter "I just wanted to say THANK YOU!!! for inviting me and my family to participate in the Remember The Rainbows retreat. We really had an awesome time. I personally enjoyed being around the other family members who really understand my feelings and don't mind hearing me REPEAT myself over and over again. My son, Mike, was not only my son, he was my friend, companion. He knew how to make a smile come across my face." Erica Godfrey, Mother of "Big Mike" "I don't feel out of place when I'm speaking of my son, Dana. My children love the activities...and the staff treats them really great." Candis Smith, Mother of Dana "I wish I could live here forever." Alexa T. Sister to Dani Annika H.'s drawing of her Superhero brother, Coulter, as an angel. Notice the similarity between Annika's drawing of her brother as an angel and that Collin drew of himself. It certainly raises the question, "Could He Have Known?"
The Story Behind Our Logo A short time before Collin Huggins' final relapse, he drew the above picture of his family. His picture is typical stick figures....Mom and Dad with a child in the middle. All three are holding hands with big smiles on their faces. In the bottom corner of the picture, however, there is a much smaller stick figure surrounded by a circle of dots, also wearing a big smile. At the time, Collin's mom was pregnant with his baby brother, Josh. Naturally she assumed the unborn baby to be the smaller stick figure and Collin as the child in the middle. Collin corrected her by saying "No mommy, Josh is in the middle." Referring to the circle Collin added, "That's me, I'm watching you." It wasn't until after Collin's passing that perhaps the real meaning of his picture was understood. Could it be that somehow Collin knew what was to come and in his childlike innocence, tried to prepare his family? Perhaps he needed his family to know, although he would no longer be physically present, he would always be with them in spirit, and its okay for them to laugh and play again. With this vision in mind, Remember the Rainbows was born. Many times, when the end of a child's life comes, it is difficult for them to let go because they worry about parents and siblings. More than anything, they don't want them to feel sad. The goal of Remember the Rainbows is to help Collin, and the countless other children lost to cancer, rest easier by bringing smiles to the families who miss them so very much. We believe those who earned their angel wings far too soon, are flying high above the rainbows now, smiling as they watch over the families who will forever love them. Collin's Drawing Comes To Life As His Family Attends Our Inaugural Retreat, July 17, 2005 On What Would Have Been Collin's 8th Birthday.... There Is No Doubt He Was, And Always Will Be, With Us In Spirit Along With All Children Lost To Cancer Whose Families We Serve.
KINDNESS...PASS IT ON! OUR ANNUAL FUND DRIVE IS NOW IN PROGRESS! WE NEED YOUR HELP IN REACHING OR EXCEEDING OUR GOAL OF $25,000.00 FOR 2009 OR, TWO MORE WAYS YOU CAN HELP: 1) Send a letter via US mail to everyone you know, asking for their support of this very important cause. Click here for a sample of text you can copy and paste into your word editing software (ex. Microsoft Word) 2) Click Here to Access Our Fundraising Site Powered by FirstGiving.com. The fastest and easiest way to spread the word. Simply create your own Personal Fundraising Page where you can add your own photos and text explaining why this cause is important to you. Then forward to your email contact list! No Time to create your own page? That's okay! Just forward this link (http://firstgiving.org/remembertherainbows) for the page we have created!

SHOP ONLINE THROUGH AMAZON.COM TO SUPPORT OUR CAUSE! Read more below... Another Way You Can Support Remember the Rainbows is to shop online with Amazon.com *through the link* below and a portion of your sale will be donated to our cause!

Remember the Rainbows, A Recreational Grief Support Program for Georgia Families Who Have Lost A Child To Pediatric Cancer A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Public Charity Founded In 2004 In Loving Memory of Collin James Huggins Tax ID# 74-3121909 Remember the Rainbows, Inc 1327 Willow Tree Drive Woodstock GA 30188 Copy Right 2009 Privacy Policy Web Site Terms & Conditions