We are grateful for the positive response from you - our community - in recommending organizations that are striving to make a difference in the lives of families around the world. We at The Rylee + Cru Foundation are excited to share with you our February 2025 Grant Recipient - 804 Foundation. We are inspired by their work in blessing the lives of families whose circumstances place them in the NICU. Learn more about their mission and work in our Q&A with founder Tehya Ham.
…
Q&A
Q. What is 804 Foundation’s mission?
A. 804 Foundation’s mission is to bring hope, share the love of Jesus, and show support to families going through tough times.
Q. How did the foundation get its name and what inspired its creation?
A. 804 Foundation was created to honor our first daughter Ariella. She was born in June of 2022 at 40 weeks with HIE (Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy). She spent her two weeks of life in the NICU. While in the hospital we would go to “the quiet room” to get some sunshine, collect our thoughts, and to be with Ariella as she spent her last breaths. We noticed multiple times the clock in the room was broken, we even talked about fixing it. That clock, we didn’t realize, would be such a story for our baby girl. For the two weeks we were there it was at 8:04. When Ariella passed we wanted to know the time her doctors called it - and it was 8:04. We, knowing the clock in the room was broken, asked how they determined the time - and the doctor said he got it off his phone. While we were asking, the nurses were talking about how the sunset was at 8:04 that day too! June 16, 2022 at 8:04 was the roughest time in our lives but we wanted to create it into something beautiful and share the story of Ariella.
Q. What are some of the biggest hurdles NICU families face, and how does your organization address them?
A. NICU families aren’t often recognized in terms of support. Generally when you’re thinking of a children’s hospital you think of the older kids, however NICU families need love and support as-well! While we were in the NICU we realized how important it is to find ways to connect with your baby. Most can’t hold they’re babies and so having things to do with them is the most special.
Q. What items do your gift baskets include and how are recipients chosen?
A. Our gift baskets are packaged with love, and are packaged for each family. Inside you can find a blanket to snuggle your sweet baby in, a stuffy for your baby, books to read to baby, and keepsake foot print molds to have forever. Recipients are chosen by submitting a basket request on our website under the contact us tab. Anyone is able to submit for someone they know or for themselves.
Q. How can individuals reading this interview support or contribute to your efforts to help NICU families?
A. We are always accepting donations on our website www.804foundation.com - we also recommend reaching out to local NICUs to see if they have a wishlist of items they need.
…
Do you know of 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations making a difference in your community? Submit an application recommending them and each month we’ll select one to receive a $10,000 grant in your name.
We look forward to making impactful, positive change with you.
