Connecting with the Community at the Hillsdale County Fair
Some weeks stay with you because of the people you meet. This past week at the Hillsdale County Fair was one of those weeks.
I had the opportunity to set up an information table and spend the week talking with people about the Foundation, why it exists, and what we are trying to do. What started as a simple chance to share information became much more meaningful. It became a week of listening, remembering, educating, and connecting with people who cared enough to stop, ask questions, and share their own stories.
Meeting people where they are
County fairs bring together people from all walks of life. Families walk by with children, friends stop to talk, and neighbors pause because they recognize a cause or a story. That setting gave me the chance to explain what the Foundation is about in a personal, direct way.
Some people came up because they were curious. They wanted to know what the Foundation does, who it helps, and why it was started. Those conversations gave me a chance to talk about the positive work we are doing, even though the reason behind it comes from deep loss.
Others stopped because they may need our services, either now or in the future. Those conversations were humbling. When someone shares a need, even quietly, it reminds me why showing up matters. An information table is not just a table. It can be the first step toward support, comfort, or a needed connection.
There were also people who simply wanted to know how they could help. That meant a lot. Not everyone has lived through the same pain, but many people still want to stand beside those who have. Sometimes help begins with a question as simple as, “What can I do?”
Listening to parents who understand loss
Some of the hardest conversations were with parents who have lost children. There are no easy words for that kind of heartbreak. When a parent shares that experience, it changes the moment. It becomes less about explaining a mission and more about honoring grief.
Those conversations were painful, but they were also important. They reminded me that loss can make people feel isolated, even when others are all around them. Being able to listen, even for a few minutes, mattered.
I did not have to have all the answers. Sometimes the most meaningful thing was simply to acknowledge their child, hear their story, and let them know their grief was seen.
Every child matters. Every story matters. Every family deserves compassion.
Sharing Derreck’s story with purpose
Throughout the week, I was able to speak about what happened to Derreck many times. It is never easy to share something so personal, but telling his story has purpose.
His story helps people understand why awareness matters. It gives a real face and name to the need for safety education. It also helps open the door to conversations that people may not think about until tragedy has already happened.
One of the topics I was able to discuss was the danger of downed power lines. Many people do not realize how dangerous they can be, even if they look still or harmless. A line on the ground, in a tree, across a vehicle, or near standing water can still be energized.
That is why public awareness is so important. People need clear, simple safety reminders before they are ever in an emergency.
A few key messages came up again and again:
Assume every downed power line is live.
Stay far away and keep others away.
Do not touch the line, anything touching it, or water nearby.
Call 911 and the utility company right away.
If a power line falls on a vehicle, stay inside if it is safe to do so and wait for help.
These reminders can save lives. They are simple, but they need to be repeated often. Fairs, community events, schools, and local gatherings are all places where that education can make a difference.
Turning conversations into awareness
One successful part of the week was being able to explain the Foundation’s mission again and again. Each conversation was a chance to create awareness. Each question was a chance to help someone understand.
Some people may remember the safety information. Some may share it with their family. Some may think of the Foundation later when they or someone they know needs support. That is how awareness grows, one conversation at a time.
The fair also reminded me that people care. They may not always know what to say, especially when the topic involves loss. But many were willing to stop, listen, and learn. That gives me hope.
The Foundation is built on love, remembrance, and a desire to help others. Being at the fair allowed those values to be seen in a real way. It was not just about handing out information. It was about building trust with the community.
Leaving the fair with gratitude
By the end of the week, I felt thankful. Thankful for the people who stopped by. Thankful for the parents who trusted me with their stories. Thankful for those who asked how they could help. Thankful for every chance to speak Derreck’s name and explain the good work being done through the Foundation.
The week was successful because it created connection. It gave me the opportunity to talk about loss, safety, awareness, and support in a place where many people could hear it.
There is still more work to do. More people need to know how to stay safe around downed power lines. More families need support when they face unimaginable grief. More communities need spaces where hard conversations can happen with care.
This past week at the Hillsdale County Fair showed me that those conversations are possible. It also reminded me that something positive can grow from heartbreak when people are willing to listen, learn, and help carry the mission forward.
A special Thank You to Sara Cares, owner of Memories on the Hill, for her continued love and support.
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