Nashville

In 2017, the Forrest Spence Fund expanded to Nashville.

Brittany was born and raised in Hendersonville, TN so expanding to Nashville was always something on the forefront of their minds.  David and Brittany met with the administration at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in early 2017 to discuss a partnership with them. 

As a large metropolitan area with even more families traveling from surrounding rural areas for their child’s care, Nashville seemed like a community that could benefit from our presence.

The generosity of Middle Tennessee has always been evident, and it was clear that the Nashville community would be interested in joining our efforts. We now have strong relationships with staff at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital, as well as the NICU at The Women’s Hospital at Tristar Centennial.

We have strong support from many local businesses, families and individuals, and we are grateful for our volunteers who keep many of our local operations running.

Upcoming Events

Programs 

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

  • A cart filled with items of comfort and respite as they walk the road of saying goodbye to their child

  • Tote bags assembled with essential and fun items for caregivers and patients in difficult situations or lengthy stays

  • GCS provides Christmas gifts, food, and other essentials for each member of around 6 families we have assisted during the year

  • Toiletry items are provided for caregivers such as shampoo, toothpaste, body wash, toothbrushes and toothpaste during a hospital stay.

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

  • Financial assistance, such as rent, phone, utility payments, provided to families or caregivers with children who are suffering from illness to help them meet their non-medical needs

  • Financial grants provided to families or caregivers with children who are suffering from illness to help them meet their non-medical needs

  • Gift cards loaded with $25 each given to social workers to pass out to families or caregivers for transportation assistance

Tri-Star Children’s Hospital

  • Financial assistance, such as rent, phone, utility payments, provided to families or caregivers with children who are suffering from illness to help them meet their non-medical needs

  • Items, such as highchairs, swings, bouncy seats, sea soothers, requested by hospital staff in different units within the hospital

  • Gift cards for Subway and Taco Bell, located within the hospital, given to families to assist with purchasing meals

  • Center filled with developmental items, which promote the health and wellbeing of NICU babies, requested by rehab therapists

  • Center filled with developmental items, which promote the health and wellbeing of PICU babies, requested by rehab therapists

  • 80 hands free pumping bras given to breast feeding mothers

  • Therapeutic intervention focusing on grief and coping for siblings who are processing a loss

  • Bags with snacks and water for families delivered monthly to the Cardiology, Emergency, and Hematology/Oncology departments

  • Bags with snacks, pen, and a magnet delivered monthly to thank different departments

  • Gift cards loaded with $25 each given to social workers to pass out to families or caregivers for transportation assistance

How to Get Involved:

  • Sponsor one of our fundraising events, which take place once-twice a year. This is a great form of advertising for your business or organization. Family sponsorship is also a great way to show your support.

  • Host a gathering of local friends/ colleagues who may be interested in learning about the mission and work of the FSF in the Nashville area.

  • 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.

  • 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/ month to both Vanderbilt Children’s and Tristar Centennial’s NICU, 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.

  • Assemble Unit Appreciation Bags, which are cellophane bags holding snacks, a note of appreciation, FSF pens and magnets. These bags are distributed monthly to different units of Monroe Carell Jr Children’s, to show the staff our appreciation for their hard work.

    By the end of each year, every department has received these bags.

  • Host an Essentials Drive in your neighborhood, place of employment, place of worship, or local businesses. We deliver toiletries to the Vanderbilt PICU each month, and these drives help us accommodate their requested amount of toiletries.

    Many families have long stays in the PICU, and it is a comfort for them to be able to choose toiletries from the cart.

  • Knit or sew hats and blankets for infants and toddlers. Have a group make tie blankets, which is a great project for volunteers of any age.

    We love handmade comfort items for our Care Bags, or larger donations to NICUs and PICUs.

  • Follow us on social media to stay up to date on all we are doing in the Middle Tennessee area.

    IG: @forrestspencefund_nashville
    FB: Forrest Spence Fund- Nashville

    For more information, please contact holly@forrestspencefund.org

Holly Carpenter

Phone: (203) 606-1548
Email: holly@forrestspencefund.org

Holly is from West Haven, CT where she attended Gateway Community College majoring in hospitality management. She then made her way to the south and lives with her three-year-old son, Jameson, and dogs, Smudge and Maggie. Jameson spent 31 days in the Saint Thomas NICU. Through their experience in the NICU, Holly found ways to give back to families in similar situations. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with Jameson, reading, traveling, and trying new restaurants and wines. Her goal is to take Jameson to a different baseball park every year. After assisting with the Bootlegger’s Ball 2023 in Nashville, she is excited to join the team.