Our Story
We learned firsthand that tragedy doesn’t discriminate when our daughter, River, died at just two days old in September of 2018. Our world came crashing down around us as we found ourselves in the middle of every parent’s worst nightmare: instead of taking River home from the hospital to begin our lives together, we would be faced with the unthinkable task of planning her funeral.
Our Mission
Sh*t happens to good people and hardship doesn’t discriminate. Individuals in our own community are faced with tragedies and unimaginable adversity every single day. We want to be there for those people: the ones who’ve found themselves in the middle of something they couldn’t have prepared for. Those who don’t quite fit into a box, but need some support to get through the adversity they’re facing.
How You Can Help
There are several ways you can help The River Ellis Foundation and give a sunrise to someone in the Hampton Roads Community. We’d love for you to get involved!
Make a Donation
Help make a difference in the lives of those in our community who need it the most. Every dollar counts!
Nominate Someone
Do you know someone in the community who has recently faced an unexpected hardship & could use some extra support? Nominate them today!
Read some of our sunrise stories:
REF Helps Family After Father’s Stroke
A father of two suffered a severe stroke and has been hospitalized for a month. He has a 20-year-old son and a 14-year-old son with severe autism, who is unable to attend school. The father is being transferred to Sheltering Arms Rehab Facility in Richmond, leaving...
REF Helps Mother With Sick Infant
A mother of three young children had to stop working because her infant required a feeding tube and a breathing machine. Since these treatments made daycare unavailable, she eventually exhausted all her sick leave. The River Ellis Foundation stepped in to support this...
Family of 10 Loses Everything in Fire
A family of 10 lost everything they owned in a house fire. REF provided them with a two week hotel stay and assistance replacing all of their essential items.
Make A Donation
Help make a difference in the lives of those in our community who need it the most. Every dollar counts!