Chattanooga

In late 2017, the Forrest Spence Fund expanded to Chattanooga.

Staff members at the Children’s Hospital at Erlanger reached out to the Fund when they realized we had expanded beyond Memphis and wondered if we would be willing to expand to their city as well. David and Brittany met with the Erlanger Administration in October 2017 to discuss what a partnership would look like. At the end of 2017, we officially expanded to Chattanooga. 

Upcoming Events

Programs in Chattanooga

  • Mammie’s Poppy Plates are keepsake plates for families who have experienced the loss of their child and our hope for these plates is that parents will find comfort in their grief through the preservation of precious memories of their child

  • Items of comfort and respite available to families as they walk the road of saying goodbye to their child

  • Cakes for children in the hospital over their birthday provided by a partnership between Child Life, the FSF, and area bakers

  • Coolers provided to the lactation team for breastfeeding mothers to transport their breastmilk from home to the hospital and vice versa

  • Bags assembled with essential and fun items for caregiver and child, age specific for those in difficult situatiosn or lengthy stay.

  • 25 bags with developmental toys delivered quarterly for NICU babies reaching milestones

  • Family meal provided to caregivers and patients each December

  • An opportunity for families with a hospitalized child to shop for Christmas gifts for their children.

  • Toiletry items offered for caregivers and patients

  • Sessions, usually six-twelve, with a licensed counselor for families who have lost a child or have experienced a child’s severe diagnosis

  • Offer financial assistance, such as payments for rent, phone & utilities

  • Providing grants to families demonstrating need.

  • 17 $25 cards delivered monthly for social workers to distribute

  • As requested, we provide items for different units, such as high chairs, swings, etc.

  • $5000 worth of meal vouchers given to caregivers who need assistance with eating from the cafeteria

  • Developmental items donated as requested by Child Life Specialists and therapists

  • Developmental items donated as requested by Child Life Specialists and therapists

  • 30 bags with snacks and water delivered monthly

  • 100 bags with snacks, pen, magnet delivered monthly to thank staff

How to Get Involved:

  • Sponsor and/ or assemble Care Bags, which are tote bags filled with comfort items for hospitalized children and their caregivers. These bags are put together for specific ages, and hold small toys, books, magazines, socks, a blanket, snacks and toiletries.

  • Sign up coming fall 2024.

  • Sign up here.

  • Host a toiletry drive at in your neighborhood, place of employment, your business or youplace of worship. Toiletry items are always needed by children and their families during a hospital stay and donations are always needed. Please contact Alora for a list of items that are most needed or if you are interested in hosting a drive.

  • Volunteer to help set up, pack coolers, make deliveries and more. This is a great opportunity for families and groups to serve together!

  • Assemble Snack Bags, which are small cellophane bags holding a mini bottle of water, 2 snacks and a piece of non-melting candy. We provide 35 each month for Children’s Hospital at Erlanger and they are given by hospital staff to families who came to the hospital unexpectedly or are having an extra long appointment. This is a great project for groups (girl/boy scout troops, Sunday school classes, etc), families or individuals.

  • Each month we show our appreciation to the staff in a specific unit at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger by gifting them a Unit Appreciation Bag. Each bag is filled with treats, FSF goodies, and a message of appreciation.

Stay updated on all our activities in the Chattanooga area by following us on social media:

Alora Haney

Phone: (423) 280-5660
Email: alora@forrestspencefund.org

Alora is originally from the metro-Atlanta area, but has lived in the Chattanooga area since moving to Lookout Mountain in 2007 to attend Covenant College. While at Covenant, she studied history and education and developed a skill and passion for working with families and young children.

Her background is in business administration and e-commerce operations. She has a heart for the children of our community and is grateful for the opportunity to work with the Forrest Spence Fund, and looks forward to continuing and developing the work done in Chattanooga.

In her free time she enjoys listening to a good podcast and craft projects, but her best times are spent with her friends, family, and her cat Zola.