Lunch group supports Red Bird Legacy Foundation

Lunch with a Purpose Coastal Delaware held a gathering March 5 at Signatures at Bayside in Selbyville.

Red Bird Legacy Foundation hosted this month’s event.

Lifelong Sussex Countians Justin and Amber Woodland created the foundation to bring peace of mind to parents who are battling a life-threatening illness by helping them create personalized, tangible gifts for their minor children's future milestones like birthdays, graduations, marriages and having babies. Through these gifts, parents are able to show up for life’s most important moments even if they are not physically able to be present.

Amber addressed the attendees and told the story of their dear friend Ashley, who died at 39 years old from bile-duct cancer and inspired them to start the foundation. Ashley’s biggest task, among exhausting and emotional consultations, trips, surgeries and treatments, was preserving her memory for her two daughters. Thanks to the guidance and resources provided by a similar nonprofit in South Carolina, Ashley focused on creating countless keepsakes for her daughters to receive at important milestones in their lives.

Amber is also an attorney and helps these families with their estate planning at no charge.

The event raised more than $6,500 in cash and $3,860 in in-kind donations. In addition, 1,392 pounds of donated items were collected for the Bridgeville Community Food Bank, which serves the entire Woodbridge School District area. For more information, find Lunch With a Purpose/Coastal Delaware on Facebook.