TRAVERSE CITY — Megan and Brendan Hennard honor the memory of their son, Jackson Lee Hennard, who was born on Christmas Eve 2020 and passed away shortly after, by donating toys and stuffed animals to children in need during the holiday season.
The Hennards have turned their grief into a mission of giving back, donating toys and stuffed animals every year in memory of their son. Their efforts have received significant support from the community, including contributions from Cadillac and people from Kalkaska.
“He gave us three very beautiful days together,” Megan Hennard said, reflecting on the brief time they had with their son. “But unfortunately, he had a lot of complications.”
Brendan Hennard shared the emotional impact of their loss, saying, “You can’t prepare yourself for something like that.”
Megan expressed her feelings about Christmas, saying, “I ended up hating Christmas for a couple of years.”
They were also given a stuffed bear with their son’s heartbeat in it and Brendan says, “Being able to still hear the heartbeat of our son, even though we can’t hold him, felt like he was always with us.”
Megan and Brendan Hennard have made it a tradition to donate toys and stuffed animals to local fire departments and police stations. They hope these donations can bring comfort to children who are in the hospital or facing difficult circumstances during the holiday season.
The Hennards have a daughter named Guinevere, with whom they share the memory of their son. Guinevere opens presents under the tree that are meant for Jackson, and these gifts are then donated in his honor.
Megan Hennard took to Facebook to ask for donations of stuffed animals for children in hospitals during the holidays, and the response was overwhelming. They received 76 donations from Amazon alone, far exceeding their expectations.
Cadillac and people from Kalkaska have also contributed to the Hennards’ donation efforts, showing widespread community support for their mission to honor Jackson’s memory.
Through their annual donations, the Hennards have created a lasting tribute to their son, Jackson, while bringing joy and comfort to other children during the holiday season. Their efforts demonstrate the power of community support and the enduring impact of love and remembrance.
To find the online registry, click here.