The Wave
SUMMER 2023 RECAP
Together
We
Lighthouse
BEST. SUMMER. EVER.
Each summer for the past 23 years, we’ve seen God continue to bring new families into our Lighthouse community. Through serving them, we've brought rest, restoration, joy, and hope to the families. This summer was no exception. In fact, this summer was one of our best!
This Retreat season, we added new team members to our full-time team and we welcomed a new wave of summer interns into our family. Not to mention, new Family Partners, new Church Partners and Retreat Families joined us in the sand for the very first time.
While these areas of growth are pivotal to reaching our goal to strengthen EVERY family living through childhood cancer, we know we have to look beyond summer because cancer is not a seasonal disease. This is why we are once again extending our impact to locations across the country through two One-Day and two Weekend Retreats in Colorado, Texas, North Carolina, and Alabama.
Ultimately, we can’t celebrate this exceptional summer and continued growth without thanking YOU! Your support means the world to us and to the families we get to serve. Without your dedication to our mission, we would not be where we are today.
Thank you for making Lighthouse part of your summer and for your ongoing support. Six claps and a YES because we appreciate you more than you know!
- CHRIS WOODRUFF, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | CEO
Meet the Cox Family
As a first time Retreat Family, the Cox family couldn’t have imagined the impact that would come from the weeklong Retreat. The family of four stepped out of their comfort zones in new ways through Flip Flop and Common Ground. In turn, they found a community of people that not only understood the journey they were walking through, but wanted to link arms with to support them as they continue to find hope and rest.
“From the moment we pulled up, we were showered with love from the host families. It was incredible how welcomed they made us feel, and we all felt so comfortable with them."
"Tears came to my eyes as I watched my little boy, for the first time since cancer came along, shout “Flippity Flop” with all his little heart. I could see that he was having the time of his life, and that meant so much to us as parents. My favorite part was the time spent with the other parents walking the same journey as us. To hear similar stories and realize that you aren’t alone in this really did something in our hearts.
There are just no words on what that time meant to us — we are all still connected online and keep up with one another! But what truly made a difference was the healing that took place that week as we sat in a circle with parents just like us."
Thanks to YOU
THANK YOU TO THESE AMAZING VENDORS
Donut Hole, Chick-Fil-A, Vacasa, Pizza by the Sea, Epworth by the Sea, Harris Teeter (St. Simon), Emerald Isle Police Department, Flip Flop Donuts, Publix (Miramar Beach & Emerald Isle), Ocean Club,
Tops’l, Emerald Isle Realty, Caribsea, Transportation Impact, Surf Hut, King and Prince, Coastal Kitchen, Bubba Garcia, Wolf Island Oyster Co, Chicken Salad Chick, Class Act Catering, Subway, and Michelangelos Pizza
THANK YOU TO OUR
LOYAL PARTNERS
3 Circle Church, Athens Church, Berry College, Browns Bridge Church, Buckhead Church, Chapel Church, Church of Eleven22, Compass Church, Covenant Presbyterian Church, CrossCreek Church, Crossroads Church, East Cobb Church, Franklin Road Academy, Good News Church, Gwinnett Church, Hamilton Mill Church, Home Church, Hope Community Church, Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Journey Church, Kairos Church, Kings Ridge Christian School, Lighthouse Church, Mountain Brook Community Church, New Life, North Point Community Church, Passion City, Rockbridge Church, Servantee, Simple Church, Southbrook, Southside Church, Southwest Community, The Chapel NY, Trinity Anglican, White’s Chapel United Methodist, Wiregrass Church, and Woodstock City Church
Beyond the Beach
Lighthouse Keepers is an amazing group of individuals who have made a commitment to financially support Lighthouse monthly or quarterly. Their support goes towards making sure Lighthouse has everything we need to create in person Retreats and helpful resources for families with a child living through cancer. Please consider joining this group and begin making a difference in these families lives instantly.
Learn more here.
GOLD PARTY - SEPTEMBER 9, 2023
COMMUNITY OF CARE
WEEKEND RETREATS
This September and October, Lighthouse is headed out of the sand and into the mountains of Colorado and North Carolina. Registration is now open and more information can be found here.
Join Us in the Sand
Do you know a college student looking for an impactful summer Internship? Available roles include Marketing Intern, Catering & Events Intern, Youth Activities, and more. Learn more here.
Applications open on September 1, 2023
