articles

Parent with a Purpose - Heather Craven

By Rachel Ives, Publisher Macaroni Kid Bridgewater-Brockton May 27, 2017

I am honored to announce the Macaroni Kid – Bridgewater-Brockton is launching Parent with a Purpose. Every day, passionate, hard-working and dedicated moms and dads do amazing things. I was inspired to select my first Parent with a Purpose when I spoke with Heather Craven. After the sudden passing of her almost two-year-old daughter, Heather felt compelled to do something special so that her daughter’s legacy could live on.

The Sydney Craven Memorial Fund is a non-profit organization helping to provide financial support to children and families in Bridgewater, East Bridgewater and West Bridgewater for activities that promote individuality, growth, and self-discovery. The annual scholarships given through this fund help children enhance their self-esteem and embrace their inner “sparkle.” Heather (pictured here, 7 months pregnant, running in the 1st Annual Tutu Run to benefit the fund) took some time to answer a few questions for us about her inspriation and her mission. 

In Heather’s words:

Talk about how Sydney inspired you to start this amazing fund.

Sydney had such a “sparkle” to her, and was full of a spunky personality. Instead of sitting around and dwelling everyday that my daughter wasn't here anymore I chose to find a way to remember her, and find a way to continue a legacy to “spread her sparkle”. With help from friends that are family we established Sydney Craven Memorial Fund one year to her anniversary of March 19, 2015


How do you feel you impact our community? What do you hope to accomplish?

First, I couldn't have established, and continue spreading Sydney’s legacy without the amazing support of the Bridgewater Community ( East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, and Bridgewater). I feel that I have set a goal to have people know and remember Sydney. Many people never got a chance to meet Sydney; however, it's my goal to keep her sparkle going, and let people know how amazing, spunky, and beautiful she was.


As Sydney Craven Memorial Fund continues to grow we hope to give out more and more scholarships to many children who want to enhance their inner sparkle, and self-esteem. Children can do this through art, sports, or any other activities that can help with the mission. My hope is to keep Sydney Craven Memorial Fund going for many years to come, as well as the Tutu Run and SparkleFest that is going on year two. I want people to see something sparkly and think of Sydney


What do you hope that your children are learning from your endeavors?

I hope that Maddox and Logan (Sydney’s twin) continue to know and speak of their sister’s legacy and fund. I hope that Logan will always talk about Sydney and keep that twin bond going. I can't wait for Maddox to get a little older to hear about Sydney, and how amazing she was. It's important that I ALWAYS talk, and remember about Sydney. She was taken way too early, and needs to be thought of often. With every butterfly, sparkle, tutu, or pink we see- we think of Sydney.


What can our community do to support the Sydney Craven Memorial Fund?

If anyone is interested in hearing about Sydney Craven Memorial Fund, Sydney’s story, scholarship application, or other information please feel free to visit our website or Sydney Craven Memorial Fund's Facebook Page

Our 2nd Annual Tutu Run and SparkleFest is coming up June 17th from 8:30am-12:30pm. Registration is still open until June 9th (you can register HERE) and SparkleFest is free to the public. Come down that day wear some pink, sparkles, or a tutu, and support Sydney Craven Memorial Fund.


Do you like this article? Do you know a Parent with a Purpose? Please feel free to submit any Parent with a Purpose nominations to your publisher at rachelives@macaronikid.com 

Woud you like to receive this and other great local content sent right to your inbox every Wednesday morning at 7AM? Then join over 600 local families and subscribe to our newsletter HERE!