City of Gainesville

I received a letter today from the City Of Gainesville, division of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs.

I wanted to share it with you because you as a community have helped make this dream a reality and you continue to. Thank you sooo much to everyone for donating and helping to keep Heather and Kira alive in our hearts to make sure they are never forgotten!

Below is the letter I received:

On behalf of the City of Gainesville, I would like to express appreciation for the donation you recently made toward the construction of the pavilion at Possum Creek Park, in the names of Heather and Kira Radcliffe. Your efforts to raise the funds and bring more awareness to our community have resulted in a continuing legacy that reaches out and touches us all.

Your generosity and thoughtfulness will provide a lasting impact upon Possum Creek Park, benefiting all who use the park. It is a very fitting tribute to Heather and Kira, and we are honored to be a part of it in this small way.

Sincerely, Steven R. Phillips

Director Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs

Family Fun Day/Dedication has a Poster!

Tell me what you think? Do you like it?

I just got the poster this morning. Giovanni over at Unique Designs has a tremendous gift for taking your ideas and turning them into an incredible design.
Once again I am impressed. I LOVE THIS POSTER!!!
I can't wait to get it out there and let everyone else see. Thank you to Unique Designs for the design and to Target Copy for donating the printing for all our advertising!

More Fun for the Kids

photos: balloon animals, balloons, Heather,Kira

After the Bounce House and Popcorn was set I thought what else makes a Family Fun Day? Balloons of course and face painting, and who could forget cotton candy. First I called Jodini who is a local clown that does magic and she referred me to Rusty the Clown also known as Jim.

I called Jim and he told me that he would talk to his group"Clown Alley" and they would donate their time. When I heard from him again I was delighted to hear that he would have people there to do balloon animals as well as face painting. I can not get over the response from the Gainesville community for this event. It really touches my heart.

So, thank you to the Gainesville Clown Alley for being a part of this Family Fun Day in honor of Heather and Kira on April 11 at Possum Creek Park starting at 2pm!

Family Fun Day Contributors Continued

When I talked to Ben over at A.P. Limo about being involved in this event there was no hesitation at all. He simply told me yes, whatever we can do, please let us know. So, A.P. Limo is going to bring their newest edition the "Gator-zilla" to our Family Fun Day for Heather and Kira on April 11 at 2pm.

"AP Limousine is proud to introduce GATOR-ZILLA !!!


The most Incredible SUV limousine in the WORLD!

Gator-zilla is the largest super stretch limo in all of North Central Florida. With seating for up to 27, Gator-zilla has the most seating of any limo in Florida. Loaded with all of the esentials like 10 flat screen tvs and a huge custom stereo, it is no wonder why this monster limo has quickly become our most requested limo." A.P. Limo

Check out their link for our event: http://www.aplimo.net/events/30/Memorial_Family_Fun_Day_-/Thank you A.P. Limo for donating your time to help make this day a special one that the community won't forget!

Family Fun Day, April 11

It seems like yesterday when I was talking to a friend of mine about how I wanted to have a really special Dedication for Heather and Kira. We were talking and she said " I could bring over a bounce house and popcorn machine if you want to do like a family fun day in honor of them." It was then that I knew what I was going to do.

For anyone who knew Heather and Kira they know that they loved having fun and any excuse for a party. So I thought Family Fun Day this could work. I started thinking why just do a bounce house and popcorn, after all this is my chance to make sure the community knows who Heather and Kira really were and what their lives were about.

When I started calling businesses I was overwhelmed by the response. It quickly morphed into a "HUGE PARTY FOR HEATHER AND KIRA" Which couldn't be more perfect. I remember planning my daughter's birthday parties. Heather was always there to help me. We would go shopping and find everything to put together the perfect party. I know I am rambling.
So anyway, each day I am going to let you in on the different people who are helping make this day possible.


So, my friend Jenny Jacobs and Eddie Jacobs offered to bring the Bounce House and Popcorn to our Family Fun Day. Jenny and Eddie lost a child to SIDS several years ago. When they lost their precious little boy they created a charity to raise monies for families who are struggling in dealing with losing their baby. For more information about this charity check out: http://littlebitsofhoney.com

Thanks you Jenny and Eddie for helping me make this day special and possible. It means so much to me. I just really needed to do something for Heather and Kira!

Photos are from floridaradcliffe.com

Butterfly Release

When I first starting planning this Dedication I knew I wanted it to be special. I also knew that Kira loved butterflies, rainbows and all things princess. So I searched and found an organization called Wings of Hope that provide butterflies for events just like ours.

Photo: Kira Halloween 2006

The first time I spoke with Alicia from Wings of Hope I could sense that she too knew how important this was to have butterflies for Kira. She has worked with breeders to get us butterflies to release for our Dedication on April 11 at Possum Creek Park.

Logo: Wings of Hope Butterflies

Butterflies to me symbolize a new hope and beginning. They start from a caterpillar and then transform into this beautiful butterfly and then take off to the skies and the heavens if you will. I am so grateful that we have organizations like this to reach out in the time of need. I really feel that the Butterfly Release will add a very special moment for us all.

Gazebo

O.K. after we lost Heather and Kira and they were laid to rest I personally needed somewhere close to go. You know, somewhere to reflect on happy memories, feel close to them and just sit and reminisce. Anyway, I had a vision of exactly what I wanted. Everyone has seen gazebos and they are so beautiful, so I thought that is it. It is perfect!

Now I needed a location: when I was helping search for my parent's dog that got lost I came to Possum Creek Park. And while I was standing there in between all the beautiful large Live Oaks I thought this is it. This is the place. So I set out to find out who owned this property and the quest began.

Over a year later with help from Bob Radcliffe(Heather's father) and Pat Byrne from Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs of the City of Gainesville my vision has become a reality.

So below is the picture(which does it no justice) of what the structure looks like for Heather and Kira and it is nestled between all of those Live Oaks which is so fitting for Heather!
Gazebo Photo from enwood.com

Gazebo Dedication and Family Fun Day

Heather and Kira touched many people's lives. I do not know everyone she knew so I am hoping this blog will help reach everyone who wants to be included. If you know of someone who would want to know about this blog please let them know.

Photos: Dogwood, Redbud, Roses, Butterfly
A lot of people have donated monies towards a memorial( the Gazebo). I have good news, it has been built at Possum Creek Park 4009 NW 53rd Ave. and will be dedicated on April 11 beginning at 1pm. The dedication will include a butterfly release courtesy of Wings of Hope, 2 Tree Plantings by the City of Gainesville Parks and Recreation, a Plaque Unveiling, and Roses from Crevasse Regency Florist.

Photos: Albert and Alberta from Kiss 105.3, Cotton Candy, Balloons, Popcorn,Bounce House, A.P. Limo, Music
For everyone who knew Heather and Kira they knew that they loved to have a good time, so after the dedication there will be a Family Fun Day from 2pm-5pm. Activities will include: Bounce House, Popcorn, Cotton Candy, A.P. Limo, Albert and Alberta, Alachua County Fire and Rescue, Balloon Animals, Face Painting , City of Gainesville Fire and Rescue, and Great Music!!
Hope to see you there and let all your friends know. Come join us in celebrating the lives of two very special people!

For Heather and Kira

My name is Erika and Heather was one of my Best Friends and Kira was my Goddaughter. I miss them both so much every day! I know I am not the only one who feels this way so I wanted to create a safe place where we all could share memories and keep them alive in our hearts.

The thing I miss the most is talking to Heather on the phone every day. I miss her voice and conversations. I miss Kira's big hugs! I want to share some pictures with everyone. These are the last most recent photos I have. I would love to see your photos. Please share.Heather helping Kira make a necklace at Layla's party October 2006
Layla(my daughter) and Kira with their soda mustaches October 2006
Kira and Layla making puppets and crafts in their Art T-Shirts July 2006
Kira and Layla at Sesame Street live 2006

Beach