The Ryan Batchelder Foundation

On July 17, 2014, our seven-year-old son, Ryan, was tragically killed in a boating accident while we were on a family vacation at Lake Burton, Georgia. One moment we were living a perfect summer day, and the next, our world was shattered.

We loved and admired Ryan beyond words. He was incredibly smart, funny, fearless, and full of love—a true joy to be around. He loved music and was always ready to show off his dance moves. His sense of humor seemed far beyond his years, and we often joked that he might grow up to be the next Jimmy Fallon. He was both an old soul and a sweet little boy. Ryan was just really cool, and countless people told us his smile lit up a room and brightened their day.

In the weeks that followed, we were held up by an incredible outpouring of love—from friends, neighbors, and even strangers. I called it “love in action,” and it inspired us to create The Ryan Batchelder Foundation (Little Hugs) as a way to carry Ryan’s light forward and send that same love back out into the world.