As we reflect on 2024, we see so many ways in which Brave Like Me has been bold and audacious, pushing boundaries and proving that bravery thrives beyond the realm of comfort.
Together, we’ve achieved BIG things in our mission to serve children with Complex Medical Conditions and their families. From the joy of Brave Friends Adventure programs fostering life-changing friendships, to the inspiration of Brayden’s Books reaching new readers, to our annual Bravesgiving Gala raising over $160,000 and bringing nearly 400 people together in one unforgettable night—we’ve made an undeniable impact in 2024.
Our Brave Friends Adventure program hosted four very well-attended events. We started the year scaling new heights with a rock climbing adventure at RockQuest. Then we tested our skills on the Kanga Klimb high ropes course at the Cincinnati Zoo. Families enjoyed a day out at the ballpark for a Cincinnati Reds game. And we ended the year with a morning of free play at Recreations Outlet. We are thrilled to be reaching so many families in our Cincinnati area community, and we’re aiming to expand this program to new cities in 2025.
This year also saw new partnerships develop for our Brayden’s Books initiative. Early in 2024, we were able to deliver 2400 books to the Queen City Book Bank to be distributed to schools across the Cincinnati area. This specially curated collection of books offers lessons in integrity, perseverance, curiosity and courage. We had a special opportunity to provide our Brayden’s Books collection to the Cincinnati Ronald McDonald House, and are looking for more opportunities to partner with RMH here and in other cities.
One of the biggest impacts of 2024 was realizing our dream of creating our first mobile Family Pet Reunion Center. After months of ideation and refinement, our custom-built trailer was ready to hit the road and show off the ways in which it will help reunite hospitalized children with their beloved family pets. We've already driven the Pet Center over 3,000 miles, meeting new potential partners and sharing our mission to transform lives, one reunion at a time.
We could not have achieved any of these goals without the tireless efforts of our amazing team and partners, nor without the incredible support of our community. Each and every one of us has played a part in knocking down barriers, spreading joy and transforming the world—one brave step at a time.
Let’s make 2025 a year where courage fuels action, belief, hope and love, and every step we take together leaves a legacy of brave tracks for others to follow.
