Lacey (& Courtney's) Experience - 2026
✨The Story✨
MEET LACEY
Lacey is 12 years old, and she has spent much of her life in and out of hospitals.
Born with an imperforate anus and fistula, Lacey has faced surgeries, procedures, bowel management treatments, and countless doctor visits. She now has an ileostomy and continues to deal with ongoing complications and the possibility of more surgeries.
But despite everything, Lacey is a happy go lucky kid who always has a smile. She knows her life looks different from other kids, but she faces each day with an incredible strength that makes her family call her a true warrior.
Her mom has spent years missing work to be by Lacey’s side through appointments, hospital stays, and emergencies. That has meant falling behind financially while simply trying to make sure her daughter gets the care she needs.
And through it all, both Lacey’s siblings and future stepdad have been right there beside her.
This family has been through a lot. They deserve a chance to breathe, make memories, and just enjoy being a family.
This is why Lacey is our Hardship Hero.
Photocredit: Ashley Clayton Photos
✨The Gifting✨
I don't even know where to start with this one.
Okay… actually, I do.
SALEM. It all started with Salem.
Our Hero new hero Lacey is getting to experience Salem in a way that only a witch could!
She'll be exploring the town, soaking up all the magic, making memories, and getting a custom photo experience donated by the Witchtographer herself!
We even had a little help making the surprise even more magical…
A HUGE thank you to Mother Nature of Salem and @jackthepumpkinqueen for putting together this absolutely FUN video for Lacey to let her know she’s coming to Salem!
But here's where this Experience gets even more special…
Because while Lacey is our Hardship Hero, there is another very important person in this story.
Her mom, Courtney.
The person who's there through the appointments, hard days, the chaos and everything in between.
The caretaker.
The mom.
And we knew she deserved to be celebrated too.
So thanks to our incredible partner The Barns at Shallow Creek, Courtney has been gifted something dreams are made of…
A WEDDING.
Yep. A WEDDING.
What started as an Experience for Lacey turned into this beautiful double whammy! An adventure for Lacey AND a dream day for the mom who has spent so much of her life taking care of everyone else.
And honestly?
We're still pinching ourselves.
I am SO incredibly grateful to Amber at The Barns at Shallow Creek for hearing their story and saying, "How about a wedding? Let's do it!"
THIS is what happens when people choose to show up.
✨The Experience✨
Coming Soon... We will update you as soon as Lacey & her family have their Experience!
✨The Thank You's✨
Okay Salem…
WHAT DID YOU GUYS DO?!
When I posted in a Salem community group and said that one of our Hardship Heroes was coming to town, I honestly had NO idea what was about to happen.
I was just hoping to find a few fun things for her to do.
Instead?
The Salem community basically wrapped its arms around our small but mighty Pennsylvania nonprofit and said:
"We've got you."
People started reaching out.
Offering things.
Donating.
Sharing.
Helping!
And I have been sitting here thinking…
Are you kidding me?! How can we get the Poconos on board!?
We may be a small nonprofit, but this is exactly what it's about. Because sometimes you just have to ask!
And sometimes complete strangers decide that someone's story matters to them too.
So I want to make sure these incredible people are recognized because they deserve a HUGE thank you!
Sue Humrich Caranante — donated funds AND left the sweetest note to send along to our Hero Lacey!
Dawn Bryson — donated a custom witch hat for Lacey! You'll see how excited I was about this!
Correen Demers — created a welcome video as Mother Nature of Salem and Sarah Sanderson for Lacey and helping give her a proper Salem welcome!
The Witchtographer — donated an entire photo session so Lacey can capture memories of her Salem adventure!
I can't even tell you how much this means to me.
These people didn't HAVE to do any of this.
They didn't know us.
They didn't owe us anything.
They just heard about a girl coming to Salem to make some memories… and decided to help make those memories absolutely magical!
Salem, you absolutely did NOT disappoint.
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