On a bright, crisp fall day, the Echols Middle School volleyball team traveled from Northport to the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham to present a check for the $10,000 they raised at the Inaugural Grayson Invitational!
They were also keeping a delightful secret from one of their coaches.
Teacher and coach Kristen Snider stayed with her husband Wesley at the Ronald McDonald House in 2023 after the birth of their son, Grayson.
Grayson sadly passed away at only 3 months old. In the face of this enormous loss, his parents and community have come together to make sure Grayson’s light will always shine!
“The team and everybody really wanted to put a smile on Kristen and Wesley’s faces,” Head Coach Amy Chambley says.
Kristen and Wesley had shared how much RMHC of Alabama had supported them during Grayson’s hospital stay, so the team hatched a plan for a weekend-long volleyball tournament.
“When Amy approached me about a tournament, my family and I were very excited,” Kristen says. “It is difficult to get a project like this off the ground, but the volleyball team and coaches worked very hard with us to make it successful. I am just so thankful I have people in my life who can help me make a difference in honor of Grayson.”
Six teams, including the Echols girls, participated in the Inaugural Grayson Invitational in September! The volleyball players, coaches and parents worked together to sell tickets, host a silent auction and sell 300 event t-shirts to meet their fundraising goal. Sponsors also donated 100% of the proceeds from concession stand sales during the tournament.
In all, the team raised $10,000 to help families currently served by RMHC of Alabama!
This is where a bit of secret-keeping came in! Because the fundraising total was so generous, Amy wanted to surprise Kristen and Wesley with a special honor. After doing some research on our website, she decided that Adopting a Room in Grayson’s memory would be perfect.
“To know that all of this is being done in memory of sweet Grayson means so much to me. He touched and changed more lives in his short life than I have in 31 years.”
To know that all of this is being done in memory of sweet Grayson means so much. He touched and changed more lives in his short life than I have in 31 years.
Kristen Snider, Grayson’s mom
When Wesley and Kristen arrived with the team one October morning, they had no idea they’d be visiting a guest suite “adopted” by the Grayson Invitational in Grayson’s memory! They were so surprised and touched by Coach Amy and the team’s gesture. The room’s plaque reads:
In memory of Grayson Evan Snider
and thanks to Echols Volleyball for adopting this room
Adopting a room for a year at various levels gives RMHC of Alabama the financial support needed to maintain our guest rooms in the best way possible, so families have a calm place of respite and support to retreat to after a day at the hospital.
“I’ve worked with Kristen for several years, including when she was pregnant with Grayson,” Amy says. “It meant a lot to be able to do this for her and Wesley. I also really wanted the girls to learn about the Ronald McDonald House, and learn about setting goals outside of sports.”
One of the key ingredients to their success was having Principal Jason Stapp and the whole Echols faculty and administration support the Grayson Invitational. A teacher volunteered their time and talent to design the invitational t-shirts, and others spent their weekends helping prepare and then run the event.
“My advice if you want to do something similar for the Ronald McDonald House, is to have a team in place to help,” Amy says. “I couldn’t have done this by myself!”
“I think the Grayson Invitational gave the school community an opportunity to do something for the Snider family,” Principal Stapp says. “I think it was also healing for our school because it reminded them that others would be blessed by our efforts.”
Principal Stapp and Coach Amy would like to thank Truth & Grace Law, Guthries of Northport, Capstone Church, McKee Foods and Blume & Blume for sponsoring and supporting the Grayson Invitational!
“I’m so thankful for the Echols volleyball team and coaches, the administration at my school, the teams who participated in the tournament, and our donors and volunteers who helped make this possible,” Kristen says.
RMHC of Alabama is amazed and grateful to be included in this wonderful event. Community members who fundraise for our mission have a positive impact on guest families in so many ways, from helping us keep our services free to letting families know they don’t walk their road alone.
If you’d like to host a community event or an online fundraiser, we’d love to help support you!
Click or tap the appropriate button below to learn more and connect with an RMHC of Alabama staff member who can share resources and ideas.
Hosting a Community Event
From car detailing to sports tournaments, community events are a fun way to raise funds for families!
Start an Online Fundraiser
Fundraise on Facebook or Instagram, while you’re streaming through Tiltify and more!
