Meeting Nicole

Here is a blog posting from a very special family we met. This was one of River of Hope Recycling's recipients. Keep fighting Nicole!!! To learn more about Nicole visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/nicolekoerth
You will read about an amazing girl and her family that has embraced the fight and is doing so much good while being faced with a difficult situation. We hope to meet up again and join forces to help children with their fight against cancer.
This was taken from Nicole's Caring Bridge...

Monday, February 21, 2011 10:12 PM, CST
I must take a moment to acknowledge a very special family we met tonight. I received a call from Todd Konen from Hilbert. He shared with me that he and his wife Jennifer lost their almost 3-year-old precious daughter Riviera back in 2006 and have since started "River of Hope" where they collect toys and gifts and deliver them to kids in the hospital down at UW American Family Children's Hospital in hopes to bring a smile to their day. Last year they collected and distributed over 1,950 gifts to children! They have recently started to do the same for families a little closer to home, which was why he called. They had a gift to drop off for Nicole.

It's an understatement to say they dropped off a gift. They dropped off not only a HUGE bag full of many gifts for Nicole (which she loved!) but they dropped off courage, hope, strength, and exuded such compassion that I couldn't help but be drawn to them. This family lost a child. They know pain. They know grief. They know fear, worry, and axiety. Yet, they took a devastating situation and made it into something positive for other children. I applaud this family and their efforts. They are heros to me.

Thank you Todd and Jennifer for all that you do. Your beautiful daughter Riviera lives on through your efforts by seeing the hundreds and hundreds of children whose smiles light up the room the way your daughter still lights up your heart. God bless you Konen family!