Our Silent Warriors

As warm tears stream down her face, she breathes deeply, hoping to find the strength to bare what the doctors have declared. She looks to her child, being quick to wipe her own tears away, as she offers her son a warm smile. She tries to remain calm on the outside, yet inside she is falling apart.  And yet, she musters up enough grace and courage, taking his hand she declares: "It's going to be okay, Honey. You won't have to face this alone and we will get through this together. We WILL beat this!" Her son smiles and squeezes her hand. Although she is bewildered by the bravery her son is demonstrating, he is fully aware of the warrior within his mother.  Knowing that as he sleeps during treatment, she will be endlessly surfing the net for answers and different treatment options. She will become fluent in medical terms and will become able to keep track of all of his treatment protocols.  When the sudden emergency room visits happen, she will have everything he will need, and then some-yet, she will have forgotten her own toothbrush. She will learn how to handle looks from strangers with grace, while coming to terms with the realization that her once healthy child is now baring the marks of his illness. She will wipe his tears away when he is profusely sick from chemo, losing his hair, as well as his appetite. She will never stop warring on her child's behalf, yet she will humbly give him all the credit for the victory. She is RELENTLESS.

Our Founders

Meet jessica
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I was born in Knoxville, TN where I lived for 25 years before meeting my husband Kevin. Kevin and I have three wonderful children and are now living in Richmond. We both have been a part of the Relentless mission since November 2014. Soon afterward, God began to whisper in my ear that I should be doing something for the moms and dads of Relentless. Most of the time, the kids are very well taken care of, but who makes sure the moms have their tooth bush or dad have his deodorant when they have to rush to the ER and have to stay for weeks on end? 
I wasn't clear, at the time, what God was asking me to do, but I knew that it had something to do with making sure the Relentless Parents had the small things taken care of so they could focus on what was really important. So, I simply waited for God to show me when and how.
In August of 2015, Shawnna Smith (who is also apart of Relentless) shared with me her heart for the Relentless moms and together we began to prayerfully brainstorm ideas. From there, Hannah's Care Packages was born!

meet shawnna

Born and raised in the Midwest, my heart has settled in West Michigan with my wonderful Husband and three beautiful daughters. My passions has always been weight training and empowering women and I have been blessed to discover Relentless. Relentless has given me a platform to use powerlifting to empower others by helping to raise money for children with life threatening illnesses or physical conditions. It did not take me long to recognize a tremendous need for the amazing mothers ( and of course, amazing fathers) of these super hero children. While the children has to stay for long hospital visits for treatment, it is usually mom who stays in the hospital with her child. During this time, Mom may come to discover personal items she has forgotten, maybe wishes she has a coffee shop gift card, or would simply like some company. There was a need, and Jessica and I, after a lot of discussion and prayer, decided to step out in faith and help fulfill this need!

MEET THE BOARD

tracy nestman
vice president
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I grew up in Woodhaven, MI, where I lived for 25 years until I married my husband Ron and then moved to Wyandotte , MI.  We are blessed to have three wonderful children  Emily, Andrew and Addisyn.
Our youngest blessing , Addisyn (7) is chronically ill, on five machines and is severely handicaped. She is our little miracle and God shows us day after day just How Big HE is, through our little sunshine. We feel so honored that God choose us to be the parents  for this precious little girl.

We are a Relentless family, which is how I became a part of HCP. 
Jessica approached me and shared her vision. I instantly fell in love! 
I know what it's like to be in the hospital at the bedside of your child , weeks at a time , empty handed , because getting to the ER was the only thing on your mind.

​I serve on the board in the marketing dept. I help by getting donations , as well as Packaging the bags and finding families in need. 
I am so grateful to be able to serve as an Ambassador of Hope for "HCP in the "D" 
( Detroit ) 
Showing love and offering Hope is the biggest blessing.

KELSEY DYER
CO-CHAIRMAN
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I'm a mom of two amazing children Aubree who was born in 2013 and Clinton who was born 2016. I have a healthcare background (However I've given that career up until my son is healthier and my children just need some mommy time in their life right now. I now currently work part time a few days a week and spend all that "spare time" taking care of them.
I became a part of Hannahs carepackages when Jessica Ball (Founder/president) delivered a package to me in January 2017 the day before my son was transferred at 5weeks old from Lexington Ky. To Cincinnati Children's hospital. At 24weeks I was admitted into hospital to await his birth. He was born 1lb 11oz at 30weeks for no reason other than he just couldn’t grow. After weeks of being scared sitting In the hospital waiting to have him and then 5weeks in one NICU only to hear they couldn’t help him so we needed to go to a different NICU Jessica and Hannah's made the biggest impact in my life. From the moment she gave me a package, I had hope, a new type of family & a community of people who were all going through something different but at the same time all the families are very similar in what we are & have been through with our children. Since receiving my package I have become a ambassador of hope. This is what we call our volunteers who deliver HOPE to our families who are with their children, grandchildren, foster children etc. are going through all types of health scenarios, medically fragile, terminal, emergency medical etc. Then in the summer of 2017 I was asked to join a new type of position called FAMILY AMBASSADOR. I am open and willing to talk to any family about anything at all hours. If families have questions, need prayers, want to know about Hannahs or just to make a new friend while your inpatient or outpatient I will contact you and be that person. I'm very big into helping families learn how to ADVOCATE for their children because this can be a very long road. I try continuously to find way to help the families with particular needs. In December of 2017 I had a idea and took it to Jessica to set up the first ever COOKIES WITH SANTA FOR MEDICALLY FRAGILE CHILDREN. This event made it possible for families like mine to meet Santa and not be overly exposed to the outside world of germs, malls, and FLU/RSV. It was such a blessing when we sat our son on Santa's lap after spending almost the first year of his life in the NICU. I cried for the children & families (siblings included) who got to come to this amazing event!
Its now May of 2018 I've asked to be a part of Hannahs Board as co-chairman I'm HONORED and my son still undergoes procedures continuously and has appointments in Cincinnati continuing to fight his conditions and prove everyone wrong and my daughter is starting Kindergarten in the fall and excelling at life because both of my children have been raised to have Faith, HOPE, and love for Jesus and to #BEANCHORED so I happily accepted. I Hope and pray that I can continue with Hannah's and have a impact on more families with each day that passes.
-Kelsey, Co-Chairman of Hannah's Carepackages. #BeAnchored

                GOD is within HER she will NOT FALL-Psalms 46:5

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Rich Conaway
Fund Developement/Marketing​
​[email protected]

I grew up in Nicholasville Ky, where I lived for most of my life after serving in the US Navy for 8 years i married my best friend Linda in Dec 1990. I have been involved with many non-profits such as Jessamine Co Habitat for Humanity, Nicholasville and Garrard Co Lions Club, Nicholasville and Lexington’s Citizens Police Academy, Nicholasville Citizens Fire Academy as well as Jessamine County CERT. As you can see we have a heart to serve   
We are a giving family, which is how I became a part of HCP. 
Jessica approached me in December 2017for help as I am a 3rd generation Santa as she shared her vision to me as we visited some of the Hannah’s Families in the Hospital. I instantly fell in love! 
I know what it's like to be in the hospital at the bedside of your child, empty handed, because getting to the ER was the only thing on your mind, as we lost our only son in 2012
​I serve on the board in marketing and Funding. I help by getting donations, social media and Advertising as well as Packaging the bags and finding families in need. 
I am so grateful to be able to serve as an Ambassador of Hope for "HCP in the "K" 
( Kentucky ) 
Showing love and offering Hope is the biggest blessing and a calling from Jesus to spread his love and his words

rebecca kelly
secretary
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I was born in KY and spent the last 10 years in South Florida.  We recently moved back to KY and started attending our "old" church again.  It was through church that I was exposed to Hannah's Care Packages and met Jessica.  I quietly observed from the "sidelines" for a bit, always feeling a tug on my heart regarding HCP.  I responded to a Facebook post from Jessica saying that Hannah's was looking for some help.  My heart goes out to these families who have their world turned upside down with children who are diagnosed with life threatening illness and sickness.  To provide support and care packages with items to help ease their hospital stays a bit I hope brings them some comfort.  To know that we are praying for them and their children I hope brings them some strength.  To know that someone cares and is thinking of them I hope brings them a feeling of being loved.  
Participating in the Easter event for medically fragile children this past April and seeing the smiles on the kids and their parents was priceless.  I love being able to be a part of giving families happy moments where they can enjoy being who they are, kids....full of laughter, love, and innocence.  Not only do we deliver packages to hospitals, but we also host events for these families.  How awesome! 
No one plans for a crisis, no one expects their "normal" to be uprooted in an instant, so in the midst of life's uncertainties,  especially with children, we all look for an anchor to steady us.  I am humbled to be a part of such a great organization.  

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ELIZABETH CARPENTER
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​Elizabeth Carpenter became a Christian about a year before she met Jessica Ball at a wedding in Michigan. Jessica and Kevin informed her they were now her "brother and sister in Christ", which was a new phrase for her at the time. She heard about the mission of Hannah's and immediately fell in love with the concept.
Elizabeth is a big fan of service work, mainly working with her hands, as she is volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and spends most of her free time helping out at a local farm.
She is based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has lived there off and on for about 5 years. Straight Edge Painting Midwest is her small painting business that has been in operation for 2 years. She enjoys the flexibility and challenge of owning a business, and uses her skills while traveling to visit friends, helping family do projects, or giving advice to those who ask. 


You can contact Elizabeth at:
[email protected] 
Or follow her Instagram at:
Lizzarps127