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 Student After Brain Bleed
A local high school graduate suffered a brain bleed while attending JMU, losing function on her right side and the ability to speak. After weeks of rehabilitation, she regained the ability to walk but continued to suffer from significant impairments in strength and...
REF Helps Family While Receiving Treatment At St Jude
A Chesapeake mother was forced to stop working so that she could be by her child's side during cancer treatment at St. Jude Children's Hospital. REF covered rent for this family until the mother could return to work.
REF Helps CHKD Nurse Provide For Grandchildren
A nurse at CHKD suddenly became the sole caretaker of her daughter and four grandchildren after her daughter delivered a premature baby and suffered a stroke. To ease the immediate financial burden, REF stepped in to cover the grandmother's rent.
Make A Donation
Help make a difference in the lives of those in our community who need it the most. Every dollar counts!