Without Regrets Foundation was started by two moms from Dripping Springs, Texas.
Without Regrets Foundation assists terminal or gravely and progressively ill parents of minor children accomplish a meaningful goal with their family before the end of their life. We provide the families with memories that will last forever and allow our clients to Leave Without Regrets.
After knowing three young parents that passed away in one year leaving behind young children, we decided something needed to be done for other families facing this situation. We believe that the memories a child has of a parent can last a lifetime and for some children memories are all they have.
With a background in working for and with non-profit organizations, fundraising for charitable organizations, and a passion for helping others we decided we would create an organization to help children and families with terminally ill parents.
Latest News
Inaugural Austin 10/20
Tuesday April 24, 2012
Listen to us on Local Insights
Tuesday February 7, 2012
Buy Some Sweets for Your Sweetheart and Benefit Without Regrets
Thursday February 2, 2012
Upcoming Events
Our Founders
Tara Ballard
I was a government major at the University of Texas at Austin. After college I worked for one of the political parties and in grassroots lobbying before deciding to move to the non-profit sector. It is an amazing feeling when you make a difference in the lives of others. I have worked in fundraising for The Leukemia Society, Local Independent Charities, Independent Charities of America and The Children's Charitable Alliance. I was previously a gubernatorial appointee to the SECC State Advisory Committee. I left this all behind to be a mom. I have a daughter and a son. They are my greatest achievement but I followed my heart in forming Without Regrets knowing that I am teaching them valuable lessons about doing things for others and one day they will be proud of what their mother has accomplished. I also volunteer my time at my daughter's school and with her girl scout troop.
Ché Heinroth
I put myself through college while raising my oldest daughter. After graduating from University of Houston, I worked for Arthur Andersen and Texas Children's Hospital. During this time, I married and earned a teaching certificate. I taught in Houston for 5 years before staying home with my daughters. I have participated in fundraising events for The Leukemia Society, American Diabetes Association, Susan G. Komen, March of Dimes, Livestrong, and many others. I volunteer at my children's schools and at my church. Without Regrets Foundation allows me to funnel my passion for helping people while teaching my daughters valuable life lessons.
Our Inspiration
My husband, Scott, was diagnosed with cancer in October of 2010, and lost his battle to cancer in April of 2011. To know Scott was to know he loved the NY Yankees. One of Scott's bucket list items was to take our son, Aidan, to Yankee Stadium. While we were not able to make his dream come true, we strongly hope other families will greatly benefit from the Without Regrets Foundation. Sometimes time is all we have and when life presents us with these situations it is vitally important to make the time you have the most loving and memorable it can be, Without Regrets can help you create and enjoy the precious time you have left with your loved one.
May God bless you with strength, the clarity to feel happy when surrounded with sadness, and abounding and bountiful love.
Nichole Sala-GrossmanWho can become a client of Without Regrets Foundation?
Our mission is to assist terminal or gravely and progressively ill parents of minor children and provide their children and families with memories that will last forever. Adults who are terminal or gravely & progressively ill and are only the parents of children under the age of 18 must be referred to the foundation and deemed medically eligible by their physician.
For the time being, we are only taking referrals from qualified medical professionals.
What type of goals do your clients wish to achieve?
When a client is selected, Without Regrets Foundation will work with them to determine their personal goals and the best way those can be achieved. Any medical limitations will be considered. We will not send clients outside the United States. Their goal must involve their entire family (not just they and a spouse or a subset of their children rather than all of their children). Click here for an example of some goals that clients may be interested in achieving.
Does the client have to meet income qualifications before they can achieve their goal?
No. Income will not be a consideration in determining eligibility.
How is the organization funded?
The organization is funded by individual contributions, planned gifts and corporate donations. We also rely on in-kind contributions to help us carry out our mission at a lower cost.
How can I help?
There are many ways you can help. You can make a one time donation by donating online or by mail if using cash or check. You can also set up a recurring donation, monthly or annually.
If you are interested in conducting a fundraiser for Without Regrets Foundation please contact us and we will get in touch with you.
And remember that many companies encourage their employees to donate to charity by matching their contributions. If you are not sure, please check with your HR Department. If your company participates in this type of program, and you need information from Without Regrets Foundation please contact us.
Can I donate in honor or in memory of someone?
Yes. You can indicate on the donation form if your gift is in honor or in memory of someone. If so, please provide us with that person's name and the address for them or their family so that we can send them a note informing them of your gift in their name. The amount of the donation will not be released.
Is my financial contribution tax deductible?
Yes. Without Regrets Foundation was formed as a non-profit corporation with the State of Texas and is recognized by the IRS as a 501c3 organization.
Is my information confidential?
Yes. We have a strict privacy policy for our donor information. Client information will also be confidential unless otherwise released by the client themself.
Inaugural Austin 10/20
Tuesday April 24, 2012
On April 15, our Running Without Regrets team had already rocked the training and fundraising, but then took on the 10 mile course! The Austin 10/20 was the conclusion to a journey these dedicated people had embarked on with us. Our first participant came to us in December and by race day we were a team of 25! Many of the participants ran in honor or memory of a family member or friend making race day even more rewarding. We had an amazing time getting to know each of the participants and are so grateful to each of them for their support. The team raised over $14,000 for Without Regrets Foundation!
Listen to us on Local Insights
Tuesday February 7, 2012
The founders of Without Regrets Foundation were featured on Austin's Local Insights radio program. Thank you B-Doe for having us. It was a pleasure sharing with you and your listeners what we do.
Listen at the link below.
http://www.newsradioklbj.com/Blogs/Blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10346060
Buy Some Sweets for Your Sweetheart and Benefit Without Regrets
Thursday February 2, 2012
Looking for a unique Valentine surprise for that special someone AND still need to do your good deed for the day? Don't send flowers...don't send candy...send cupcakes or cookies! Thank you to La Vida Dulce for supporting Without Regrets Foundation!
Order a 4 pack of tasty cupcakes or a baker's dozen chocolate chip cookies and 25% of your order will go to Without Regrets Foundation. Each cupcake is decorated with an adorable fondant heart and your order comes with personal note from you. You're sweetheart will receive:
1 - Bleached Blonde (French Vanilla Cake topped Vanilla Buttercream Icing)
1 - Triple Chocolate Trifecta (Fudge Cake with a Chocolate Filling topped with Fudge Icing)
1 - Sugar & Spice (Spice Cake topped with Cream Cheese Icing)
1 - Chocolate Covered Strawberry (Strawberry Cake topped with Fudge Icing)
Visit the following website to order!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/90448452/without-regrets-valentine
Without Regrets Foundation is a Participating Charity at the Austin 10/20
Wednesday January 18, 2012
We have some very exciting news for Without Regrets Foundation and our Running Without Regrets program. We are an official charity of the Austin 10/20. We are very excited to have a team at this brand new race, consisting of 10 miles, 20 bands, on April 15, 2012. It should be a great time and we would love to have you on our team supporting our cause. The minimum fundraising goal for this event will only be $100 to earn your Running Without Regrets team racing shirt and be able to come hang out with us at our tent after the race. Join us! E-mail info@withoutregrets.org for a registration form.
Without Regrets Foundation Helps Its First Family!
Wednesday January 11, 2012
We are so honored to have been able to work with Alex and his family. Alex is a 38 year old man with End Stage ALS. He was referred to us by the ALS Association South Texas Chapter and New Century Hospice. Alex has three children; sons ages 17 and 14 and a 9 year old daughter. With his prognosis of six months or less left in his life he told Without Regrets Foundation that he wanted to take his wife and children to the Texas Gulf Coast. This wonderful family has not been to the coast since their oldest son was just a baby. The two youngest children have never seen the beach. When Alex was younger and healthier he used to enjoy fishing. Without Regrets Foundation was honored to be able to help this family. They went to South Padre Island from December 17th to 22nd. They spent 6 days enjoying the fresh sea air and the beautiful beaches. During the trip the family also experienced a dolphin watching tour and a bay fishing trip. They were also treated to family portraits on the beach. Great memories were made during their stay and we cannot express how happy we are to have been part of it. We would like to extend a huge thank you to Dr. & Mrs. Lance Jackson, HEB, Breakaway Cruises and WWD Photography for their help making this all possible.
View the slide show from their dolphin watching tour!
“THANK YOU!!!! We had a blast. I am glad to have had a chance to come to SPI with my family. I don't know how to word it...but THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. You have given my family some amazing memories for the rest of their lives........” ~ Alex Vargas
Please join us at one of the following events!!!
Meet Stanley.
Stanley is a 53 year old man who is the father to a wonderful 10 year old girl. Stanley has lung cancer that has spread to his brain and bones. Before Stanley got sick 4 years ago he and his family really enjoyed being outdoors. Since his daughter was only 6 when he was first diagnosed she has had to grow up very fast and not had as many chances to be a kid as she deserves. Due to his his illness Stanley and his family have taken no vacations together and his daughter has never left the State of Texas. We are going to send this amazing family to California so they can see the ocean and they can spend some quality family time having fun, forgetting their worries and enjoying each other. As Stanley's wife said when we met with them "a lot of things we take for granted until the rubber meets the road...you can't put a price on life and you can't put a price on your family".
Meet Nicki.
Nicki is a 36 year old mother of 4, ages 15, 13, 10 and 5. Nicki has breast cancer that has spread to her liver, lungs and brain. She is a fighter and we are so honored to be playing a part in her life. Nicki wants to take her four children to see the town she grew up in. She wants to show them all of the places she used to go and the things she enjoyed when she was a child herself. For their trip, they have scheduled a family reunion with their entire extended family and will be attending the wedding of a relative. Two of the kids will get to meet their grandfather for the first time. And while there, Nicki and her siblings plan to spread the ashes of their mother who passed away in the summer of 2011. We are honored to be able to help Nicki make this dream come true.
Meet Alex.
Alex is a 38 year old man with End Stage ALS. He has three children; sons ages 17 and 14 and a 9 year old daughter. With a prognosis of six months or less left in his life he wants to take his wife and children to the Texas Gulf Coast and go fishing. This wonderful family has not been to the coast since their oldest son was just a baby. The two youngest children have never seen the beach. And when Alex was younger and healthy he used to really enjoy fishing. We are honored to be able to help this family create a lasting memory so that these kids can always remember this special time with their father.
Run or Walk to help deserving families Leave Without Regrets.
Running Without Regrets is a fantastic new program offering participants the opportunity to fundraise for Without Regrets Foundation while training to participate in a marathon or half marathon.
For more information please contact us at info@withoutregrets.org
Participant Rewards
- Race entry fee for marathon or half marathon
- Travel Expenses (which may include hotel and/or airfare)
- Fundraising support and guidance
- Training schedule by a certified personal trainer
- Clinics focused on injury prevention, apparel, nutrition, etc.
- Pre-race pasta party & post race victory party
- Race shirt & Team shirt
Partnered With:
"You must do the thing you think you cannot do."
Eleanor Roosevelt"If you can't fly, then run. If you can't run, then walk. If you can't walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, keep moving."
Martin Luther King, Jr.There are several ways to help us achieve our mission.
- You can help us by making a secure online donation. This can be a one-time donation or a recurring, monthly donation. You can also donate in honor or in memory of someone dear to you. And you can donate to a specific qualified client of Without Regrets Foundation if you know someone we are currently in the process of assisting.
- You can send a check, made payable to Without Regrets Foundation along with our Mail in Donation form to:
Without Regrets Foundation
P.O. Box 1586
Dripping Springs, TX 78620
- All donations over $100 will be acknowledged in our newsletter unless the donor requests to be kept anonymous.
- All donors who contribute more than $1000 annually will be recognized in our Annual Report unless they request to be kept anonymous. And will receive a Without Regrets Foundation t-shirt.
- For any donation over $10,000 annually, you will officially sponsor a client's goal and we will provide you with a keepsake from the family that you helped so that you can remember how much your generosity meant to others.
- Without Regrets Foundation was formed as a non-profit corporation with the State of Texas, is determined a public charity under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3), and per section 170 your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.
