Leaving the hospital without Ryker in our arms was the toughest thing we’ve ever done. We had no roadmap for our grief and often still wonder what the next steps are. Ryker’s Rainbow is here to serve families who are walking this path too.
Grieving Parents and Siblings
How We Serve
A gift for siblings who
grieve too
Sibling Support
On top of their own grief, many parents are helping siblings understand what happened. Siblings, just like other family members, feel this loss deeply. This gift tries to begin the healing process and offers a sliver of joy for the sibling(s) too.
Curated keepsakes &
gifts of remembrance
These are given to grieving parents before leaving the hospital. That way, no parent leaves with empty hands. We partner with Alabama hospitals to make this happen. But Blessing Boxes can be mailed to families across the U.S. who are outside of our partner network.
Quarterly gatherings for grieving parents
Rememberance
Events
Thankfully, a majority of families won’t experience this kind of loss. But for families who do, loneliness compounds the grief. These events are meant to connect families and to share ways for finding light and hope in this very dark time.
A place for quiet reflection & prayer
Blessing Boxes
Community Prayer Garden
Opened in 2025, this garden gives families a place in nature to see God’s beauty and to be reminded of His faithfulness while walking through the “valley of the shadow of death.” All are welcome to visit.
Ways We Help
Grief connects every human being, no matter our background, age, gender, or race. Grief touches us all.
We’re always looking for donations and volunteers in North Alabama because our work is never done. Below are ways you can get involved and help us shine light, every sliver counts, to families walking through very dark times.
How to Get Involved with Ryker’s Rainbow
Quarterly events for grieving families or our annual Farm to Table(aux), our largest fundraiser each year, are not possible without community sponsors. We’d love to tell you more about sponsorships.
Be a Sponsor for Events
Monies are used to purchase locally-sourced and thoughtfully-selected items for our Blessing Boxes and to host events for bereaved families each quarter. All donations are tax deductible.
Donate
Volunteers are the heartbeat of Ryker’s Rainbow. They pack Blessing Boxes and host events—quarterly Remembrance Events and Farm t0 Table(aux), our annual fundraiser.
Become a Volunteer
Upcoming Events & Programs
Join our newsletter for the most up-to-date information
See upcoming events
Meet Sprite. Coping with grief and loss can be overwhelming and finding the words to talk to our children about it can feel impossible. Sprite helps you find a place to start as a child navigates the loss of a sibling.
Ryker’s Rainbow wants to gift your child with Sprite. This gift encourages them to remember those who are no longer by our side continue to live within our heart.
Use the order form below to request your Sprite Sibling Support Package at no charge. Please note, a code is required to order. This code can be found in your Ryker’s Rainbow blessing box received from one of our partner hospitals.
Siblings Grieve Too
meet sprite
Monies are used to purchase locally-sourced and thoughtfully-selected items for our Blessing Boxes and to host events for bereaved families each quarter. All donations are tax deductible.
DONATE
ryker's rainbow | how we serve
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Success
The Dutton Family
Our sweet boy went to his heavenly home on August 19, 2021. The hardest part of losing a child is living with it every day afterward. Ryker’s Rainbow showed us that we weren’t alone no matter how alone we felt, and we were shown nothing but love & comfort during the most terrifying, most tragic time of our lives. Ryker’s Rainbow gifted our family a box of keepsakes, which I hold close to my heart, assisted us with the cost of a grave marker, and also gifted Sprite to our daughter who has been grieving the loss of her brother.
Ryker’s Rainbow showed us that we weren’t alone
“
REVIEW NO. 1 of 3
The Cothran Family
At my 21-week checkup, where we would have our first anatomy ultrasound and learn the gender, we found out our baby’s heartbeat had stopped. On March 17, 2021, I gave birth to a baby boy. Ryker’s Rainbow came into our lives through a sweet friend who knew the Schoff family and reached out to them. Ryker’s Rainbow was quick to reach out to me and offer help. I’m so thankful to know this nonprofit organization and that they will be there to help other families that have to endure this hurt of the loss of a child.
Ryker’s Rainbow was quick to reach out & offer help
“
REVIEW NO.2 of 3
The family of baby Madison
When my water broke prematurely at only 16.5 weeks, our world went from being ecstatic to complete fear. Everything was a whirlwind. Our baby girl was born on December 2, 2022. We felt lost, crushed, confused, overwhelmed, and broken. The nurses at Madison Hospital were fantastic and told us about Ryker’s Rainbow. We were given a box, and although we didn’t know you, we felt we knew you! I no longer felt like I was alone on this pregnancy loss journey. We cannot thank you enough for using your journey & Ryker’s life as a way to give back.
Although we didn’t know you, we felt like we knew you!
“
REVIEW NO. 3 of 3
view first
How do I volunteer?
Fill out our Volunteer Form. We always need great volunteers for our big fundraiser each year Farm to Table(aux), Five Candles Dinner of Rememberance, events at partner hospitals, and packing Blessing Boxes. We truly appreciate your consideration!
A very kind question. Our biggest events each year are Farm to Table(aux) and our Five Candles Dinner of Rememberance. It’s crucial to have wonderful sponsors for it. Plus, we host Remembrance Events where mothers come to laugh, cry, and grieve together. Sponsors are also needed for those events. Contact us to talk more.
What events can I get involved with if I want to be a sponsor?
Are donations to Ryker’s Rainbow tax deductible?
Definitely. We’re a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. And thank you in advance.
What is included in a Blessing Box?
In each box, we include hand-picked gifts that usually fall in these categories: personalized items of remembrance, books that offer peace and encouragement, and household items meant to bring comfort. Items in each box often vary due to availability.
Can I request a Blessing Box for a loved one experiencing child loss?
Of course. Use this link to purchase a box.
**If a family experienced loss in one of our partner hospitals, they will receive a Blessing Box during their time of care. See our partner hospitals.
