Chubby Hands lends support to those grieving
In 2010, Vickie Wheatley无毛视频檚 family lost their first grandchild at 8 months old. While the shock and pain of losing a child will never be easy, for the Wheatley无毛视频檚, it led to forming a nonprofit to help others in their time of need.
无毛视频淚t was a tragic thing and a couple of years of sheer turmoil,无毛视频� Wheatley said. 无毛视频淢y kids were young parents, and they didn无毛视频檛 have resources to pay for these kinds of expenses. Who gets life insurance for their child? Luckily, they had a tribe, and we were able to get it done.无毛视频�
Others aren无毛视频檛 so lucky, and the Wheatley无毛视频檚 set out to create a support system for those who are suffering in a way their family can sadly understand.
无毛视频淢y husband and I had an idea for a nonprofit, but we had trouble getting anywhere with it. It was difficult to connect with the local funeral homes. Out of the blue, I was sitting at the beauty parlor and started talking to a gentleman. I went through my story, and then he introduced himself as Ricky Gates (of Gates Funeral Home and Crematory in Uniontown). He thought it was a great idea,无毛视频� Wheatley said.
The Chubby Hands Foundation was created just under two years ago, and since then volunteers have served at least 10 families.
The nonprofit is named for Wheatley无毛视频檚 grandson, Derrick Miskanin Jr., whom Wheatley says, 无毛视频渉ad the chubbiest face and hands ever.无毛视频�
They provide financial support for those in need who are dealing with the loss of a child. That may mean a stillborn birth or a child who passes away shortly after birth. It also might be an older child who passes away due to illness or tragedy.
无毛视频淲hen tragedy strikes you often think, where am I going to get the money for this, and that puts your grief on hold while you无毛视频檙e going through the process,无毛视频� Wheatley said. 无毛视频淲e step in when we get a call from the funeral home or the family, and do whatever they ask us to do so they can grieve and spend time with their loved ones.无毛视频�
She无毛视频檚 seen the relief on the family无毛视频檚 face when Chubby Hands steps in.
Most recently, they lent support to the Hockenberry family when their 6-year-old son Owen died by choking at a family cookout. Gates Funeral Home was able to arrange a hearse to be pulled by a motorcycle and more than 150 motorcyclists came out for the funeral.
无毛视频淥wen无毛视频檚 grandfather is a family friend of ours and he said, 无毛视频楯ust hearing you say you were going to handle it, let me breathe and focus on my daughter无毛视频�,无毛视频� Wheatley said.
But, the nonprofit doesn无毛视频檛 offer just financial assistance. The Wheatleys want to bring people together.
无毛视频淧eople react differently. It无毛视频檚 difficult to live the rest of your life never knowing what could or should have been. Some want to be left alone, and others want to talk about it a lot,无毛视频� Wheatley said. 无毛视频淲e are planning on forming support groups and offering sessions for people.无毛视频�
They无毛视频檙e also planning fundraisers in 2025 to support The Chubby Hands Foundation.
This spring, look for additional details for a luminary service at Gates Funeral Home honoring all children gone too soon.
Visit https://www.thechubbyhandsfoundation.com/ or The Chubby Hands Foundation on Facebook for more information.