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

April 26, 2024
Lookout Mounation

April 27, 2024
Dunlap

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

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

  • Tote bags containing developmental toys delivered quarterly for NICU babies reaching milestones

  • Family meal provided to caregivers and patients each December

  • Christmas gifts provided for families to choose from for their hopsitalized child and siblings

  • Toiletry items, such as shaving cream, shampoo, toothpaste, etc., available for caregivers

  • 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

  • $6000 worth of gas cards given annually to social workers to pass out to caregivers who need transportation assistance

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

  • Meal vouchers given to families or caregivers to assist with eating from the hospital cafeteria

  • 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

  • Bags with snacks and water for families delivered monthly to the emergency department and cardiac clinic

  • Bags with snacks, pen, and a magnet delivered monthly to thank Le Bonheur 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 here.

  • 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.

  • Stay tuned for more information in summer 2024 for volunteers 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.

    Sign up!

  • 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.

    Sign up!

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.