Hugs From Heaven Bereavement Program
What is the program?
As a family who has experienced the loss of three children and countless other family members we realize the profound emotional impact that grief has on individuals of all ages, The Dandelion Project has launched our Hugs from Heaven Program. The Hugs From Heaven program consists of two separate components - Bereavement/Memory Boxes and three scholarships.
As with all our programs, our services are completely free to individuals and that is why we need your help! There are two ways to achieve this. The first is by donations. A donation can be one-time or monthly. The second way to help is by sponsoring a box (or more)! By sponsoring a Bereavement Box, you are directly supporting a grieving individual and offering a tangible reminder that they are cared for during their grief journey. There are various sponsorship levels, each with the opportunity to significantly impact the griever's healing process. We offer boxes for grieving children and adults.
Our Boxes
The first component of the Hugs From Heaven program is our Bereavement/Memory Boxes, which are offered free to adults and children who need comfort, support, and resources, A Bereavement/Memory Box contains meaningful items such as personalized notes, books, grief resources, soft toys (for children), stress relief items, journals, and art supplies. These items are tools that help a grieving individual express their emotions, understand their grief, and feel less alone. Our goal is to provide a thoughtful, supportive package that not only validates their feelings but also helps them begin the healing process in a healthy, comforting way.
Scholarships & Sponsorship Program
The second part of our Hugs From Heaven Program is the three scholarships/donor programs we will participate in throughout the upcoming year. The scholarships are in memory of Kerri Elizabeth Fernley.
(Kerri’s H.O.P.E ), Quinn Celeste Bolton (On Angels Wings), and Donald Jerald Fernley (Dreams from DJ ) -
Our very own sweet angels who are missed every second of every day, always remembered, never forgotten, and forever loved.
Faces of H.O.P.E. Banners
The Faces of H.O.P.E Banners (Hold on Pain Ends/Eases)
The Faces of H.O.P.E. banners are a powerful visual reminder that recovery is possible and that lives can be saved. Always displayed together as a set, these two banners tell a story of loss, healing, and hope.
One banner honors those we have tragically lost to addiction and substance use, preserving their memory with dignity and love. The other banner celebrates the courage and resilience of individuals in recovery—those who have walked through pain and are now living proof that healing can happen.
Each banner holds 12 faces. For every face of loss, there is a face of recovery—side by side, they show the devastating cost of addiction and the life-changing reality of recovery.
One space on the recovery banner features a mirror, inviting anyone still struggling to see themselves as the next face of hope. It’s a call to action—a reminder that your story isn’t over and that you, too, can choose life, healing, and recovery.
Through these banners, The Dandelion Project seeks to honor the past, support the present, and inspire a future filled with hope.
Be Part of the Faces of H.O.P.E. Project
If you or a loved one is in recovery and would like to be featured on the Faces of H.O.P.E. banner, if you wish to honor someone on the In Loving Memory banner, or you are a family member left behind—we would be honored to include their/your story.
Participation is open to individuals, families, and organizations who want to help raise awareness, inspire hope, and keep the conversation about addiction, loss, and recovery alive.
To learn more, share a story, or sponsor a space on the banners, please contact us:
📧 Email: lisa@dandelionproject.net
📱 Call/Text: 973-271-8986
Faces of H.O.P.E. Family Banners
The Faces of H.O.P.E Family Banners (Hold on Pain Ends/Eases)
The Faces of H.O.P.E. banner series is a public awareness initiative that brings visibility to the realities of loss, recovery, and the families affected by addiction and mental health challenges.
- Loss Banners honor individuals who have been lost, ensuring their lives and stories are remembered.
Recovery Banners feature individuals living in recovery, offering hope and proof that recovery is possible.
Family Banners recognize the parents, siblings, children, and loved ones who carry the lasting impact of both loss and recovery.
Family Banners were added to complete the story. Addiction and mental health crises affect entire families, not just individuals. These banners give voice to families whose grief, strength, and resilience often go unseen.
When displayed together, the banners tell a powerful story — loss and recovery side by side, with families at the heart of both.
This visual experience encourages compassion, reduces stigma, and opens meaningful community conversations.
Participation is voluntary and centered on dignity, choice, and respect. Each submission helps remind our communities that behind every loss and every recovery journey is a family that matters
Be Part of the Faces of H.O.P.E. Project
Family Banner Submission
Behind every loss and every recovery journey is a family.
The Dandelion Project invites families who have been impacted by addiction, overdose, or mental health challenges to participate in our Faces of H.O.P.E. Family Banners. These banners honor the strength, love, and resilience of families whose stories are too often unseen.
Family Banners are displayed alongside our Loss and Recovery banners to show the full picture — loss, recovery, and the families at the heart of both.
Who Can Submit
Families who:
- Have lost a loved one
- Support or have supported someone in recovery
- Wish to share their family’s journey in a respectful, awareness-focused way
Participation is completely voluntary and guided by your comfort level.
What to Submit
Families are invited to provide:
- One clear family photo (of your choice and comfort level)
- A brief written bio sharing your family’s story
Stories do not need to include names, details, or timelines you are not comfortable sharing. All submissions are handled with care and respect. Purpose of the Family Banners
The Family Banners help:
- Acknowledge the lifelong impact on families
- Reduce stigma through visibility and shared stories
- Encourage compassion, understanding, and community support
- Remind others that no one walks this journey alone
How to Submit or Learn More
📧 Email: lisa@dandelionproject.net
📞 Phone/Text: 973-271-8986
🌐 Website: dandelionproject.net
You may reach out with questions before submitting. There is no obligation to participate.
Faces of H.O.P.E. is a public awareness initiative of The Dandelion Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to support, education, and hope for those impacted by loss, grief, addiction, and recovery.
MEMORY BEARS
🌼 A New Way to Hold Our Loved Ones Close 🌼
We are deeply grateful to share that one of our dedicated Board Members has begun lovingly creating Memory Bears for The Dandelion Project.
Each Memory Bear is handcrafted from clothing or fabric that once belonged to a loved one, transforming cherished memories into a comforting keepsake. These bears are made with care, compassion, and the understanding that grief looks different for everyone — but no one should walk through it alone.
Memory Bears offer a tangible way to hold onto love, connection, and remembrance. They can be especially meaningful for children, families, and anyone navigating loss.
More details on availability and how to request a Memory Bear will be shared soon. Thank you for being part of a community that continues to find gentle ways to honor, remember, and heal.
💛
The Dandelion Project
Where love, loss, and hope meet
Wind Phone
Wind Phone
Something Beautiful has come to Ocala
The Dandelion Project, together with Highland Memorial Park, has "installed" a Wind Phone — a quiet space where you can “call” and share words, love, or memories with those you’ve lost. Though the phone isn’t connected, it offers a gentle way to speak from the heart and feel close to those who are forever missed.
The very first Wind Phone was created in Japan in 2010 by a man grieving the loss of his cousin. Since then, Wind Phones have spread around the world, offering comfort to countless people navigating grief.
Our first central Florida Wind Phone was revealed during the Evening of Reflection event at Highland Memorial Park in Ocala on November 15th. Learn about the Wind Phone and discover its power to transform your love into a beautiful message to those we are missing!
More Wind Phones coming soon!
Hearts of H.O.P.E
Hearts of H.O.P.E. – Adoption & Foster Care Support
Hearts of H.O.P.E. is The Dandelion Project’s newest initiative, created to bring comfort, counseling, and resources to children and families impacted by adoption and foster care. We recognize that while adoption and fostering are rooted in love and hope, they can also carry layers of grief, loss, and transition. Our program is here to walk alongside families, caregivers, and children—offering support, awareness, and a community of understanding.
We are proud to launch Hearts of H.O.P.E. with our First Annual Adoption and Foster Care Day, held on National Adoption Day. This special event will raise awareness, honor families who open their hearts and homes, and provide resources for those navigating the journey of adoption and foster care.
Together, we believe that healing is possible, and that every child and family deserves hope, stability, and love.
Reading with H.O.P.E. – A Dandelion Project Gathering
Healing through words, remembrance, and connection
Beginning December 2025