As we reflect on 2025, our hearts are full.
This year was filled with generosity, meaningful partnerships, powerful conversations, and families who trusted us with their stories.
Earlier this year, we celebrated five years of Specially Gifted Foundation. Five years of walking alongside families caring for children with disabilities. Five years of resilience, growth, and community.
And as we stepped into our sixth year, we did so with gratitude — and with intention.
Before we recap 2025, we want to revisit the heart behind everything we do:
“At Specially Gifted Foundation, we believe that children with disabilities deserve to be loved and valued as equals in our society. We respect the unique journey that each of their families face and are dedicated to enriching their lives by providing them with a special gift or opportunity, beneficial resources, and a sense of community.”
That mission guided every conversation, every event, every partnership, and every gift this year.
Specially Gifted Foundation’s 2025 Giftings
In 2025, SGF had the honor of gifting 10 incredible families, each receiving up to $5,000 in support.
With these 10 families, we reached a beautiful milestone:
🎉 66 families gifted since SGF began in early 2020.
Sixty-six families.
Sixty-six unique stories.
Sixty-six reminders that community changes lives.
Each gifting this year looked different because every family’s needs were different.
Some families needed adaptive equipment.
Some needed accessibility improvements.
Some needed therapeutic tools not covered by insurance.
Some simply needed relief in a season that felt overwhelming.
As always, we listened first.
We believe meaningful impact begins with understanding what a family truly needs — not assuming.
Gifting families has been one of the most visible and powerful expressions of our mission. And as we continue growing, we remain committed to ensuring each gift reflects thoughtfulness, dignity, and real impact.
Impact Beyond the Gift
While special gifts are meaningful, our impact extends far beyond a single moment.
In 2025, through blog resources, seasonal event guides, partnerships, and community engagement, SGF reached over 3,000 families caring for children with disabilities.
Families across Georgia continue to reach out asking:
“Do you know of any sensory-friendly events?”
“Are there camps available this summer?”
“Where can we connect with other families like ours?”
Being a trusted connector in the disability community is something we deeply value.
This year, we intentionally published:
These posts were written with intention — because access is not always financial.
Sometimes access is information.
Sometimes access is awareness.
Sometimes access is connection.
When families feel less alone, that impact ripples far beyond what we can measure.
Showing Up in the Community
One of the most meaningful ways SGF serves families is simply by showing up.
In September, our co-founder Macey Belter attended the Ability Fair in Rome, Georgia, hosted by DIGS Inc. Surrounded by Gifted Families, caregivers, therapists, and community partners, it was a morning centered on connection and resource-sharing.
Conversations flowed easily — about needs, about challenges, about hope. Events like these are powerful reminders that there are so many organizations and individuals working together to support families navigating disability.
Earlier in the year, our co-founder Bree Lanham set up a SGF booth at the Inclusive Spring Carnival & Resource Fair hosted by Greater Atlanta Speech & Language Clinics. This free community event brought families together for carnival games, face painting, an Easter egg hunt, and a petting zoo — all while connecting them to valuable resources in one place.
Behind a simple table filled with brochures and information, Bree met parents who were searching for guidance, caregivers looking for connection, and families eager to learn about available support.
These moments may not come with a stage or a spotlight, but they matter deeply.
They remind us that impact isn’t only created at large fundraising events.
It is built in small, intentional interactions.
In conversations.
In listening well.
In showing up consistently — wherever families gather.
Community is not something we simply talk about.
It is something we participate in.
Spring in the Valley 2025
Circus tents rose, performers entertained, and joy echoed throughout the fairgrounds as SGF hosted its 5th Annual Spring in the Valley Festival on April 26th at the Coosa Valley Fairgrounds in Rome, Georgia.
Over 2,000 community members gathered for this circus-themed celebration — a day intentionally designed where children of all abilities could play, explore, and connect together.
Spring in the Valley has been one of the most visible and joyful expressions of our mission — bringing families, volunteers, sponsors, therapists, and community partners together year after year.
What makes SIV truly special is not just the inflatables, petting zoo, trackless train, live music, or car and bike show.
It is the belonging.
The SGF Kids Game Booth — expertly led by Emily (SLP-CCC and SGF board member) and Ashley (Occupational Therapy Assistant and fundraising committee member) — created a space where children of all abilities could participate fully.
Adaptive painting.
Sensory bins.
Accessible sand and water tables.
Inclusive parachute play.
A quiet corner for calm when needed.
We witnessed beautiful moments as children with and without disabilities played side by side — exactly what inclusive community events should foster.
We are deeply grateful to our presenting sponsor, Relentless Chiropractic, who has faithfully supported Spring in the Valley year after year. Their continued commitment to this event and to families in our community has helped make this festival possible from the very beginning.
We are also thankful for every sponsor, vendor, volunteer, nonprofit partner, and attendee who showed up to build something meaningful together.
Spring in the Valley does more than create a fun day.
It strengthens relationships.
It connects families to resources.
It raises the funds needed to gift families in Northwest Georgia.
It builds community in a way that lasts long after the tents come down.
To revisit the full highlights, photos, and behind-the-scenes moments from this year’s festival, read our complete recap here:
Spring in the Valley 2025: Celebrating Inclusive Fun & Supporting Families in Northwest Georgia.
Moments like these remind us that inclusion is not just something we talk about — it is something we build together.
Specially Gifted Golf Tournament 2025
As fall arrived in Georgia, the SGF community gathered for another meaningful tradition — the Fourth Annual Specially Gifted Golf Tournament, presented by Amwins.
Held on October 13, 2025, at Horseshoe Bend Country Club in Roswell, GA, the day was filled with sunshine, laughter, competition, and generosity.
What began just four years ago as a simple idea has grown into one of SGF’s most significant fundraising initiatives — serving as a primary revenue-generating event that fuels our mission year-round.
This year’s sold-out tournament raised an incredible $53,000 to support SGF’s gifting and community efforts.
Every drive.
Every putt.
Every raffle ticket.
Every sponsorship.
It all contributes to meaningful, tangible impact for families caring for children with disabilities.
We are especially grateful to our presenting sponsor, Amwins, whose partnership and leadership have elevated this tournament year after year. Their continued support reflects a deep commitment to strengthening families and expanding access.
We are also thankful for SGF board member Andrew Lanham, whose dedication and leadership have been instrumental in shaping and growing this tournament. His experience and advocacy have helped transform this event into one of the most anticipated charity tournaments of the season.
From breakfast provided by Chick-fil-A to the energy of the putting contest, 50/50 raffle, and championship belt ceremony, the day reflected the generosity and camaraderie that define the SGF community.
The addition of Petals & Purpose, a women’s brunch experience held alongside the tournament, created another meaningful way for supporters to gather in fellowship and generosity.
We are incredibly grateful to Amwins, Horseshoe Bend Country Club, our sponsors, volunteers, and every golfer who helped make the day possible.
To see tournament highlights, sponsor recognition, and the full impact from the event, read our complete recap here:
Specially Gifted Golf Tournament 2025: Driving Change, One Swing at a Time.
Five Years Strong — Building What Lasts
Celebrating five years earlier this year gave us space to pause.
To celebrate.
To give thanks.
To reflect.
It also gave us space to ask deeper questions:
How do we ensure our impact extends beyond today?
How do we steward the trust our community has placed in us?
How do we continue building something that serves families well for years to come?
2025 became a year of strengthening the foundation behind the mission.
Behind the scenes, our team focused on operational clarity, thoughtful stewardship, and ensuring every initiative aligns with meaningful, lasting impact.
Our heart has not changed.
But our vision continues to grow — with intention.
Because five years is not just a milestone.
It is a reminder of what is possible when a community chooses to care.
Thank You for Choosing SGF
As we close out 2025, we are overwhelmed with gratitude.
To our donors.
To our sponsors.
To our volunteers.
To our board and fundraising committee.
To our partners.
And to the families who trust us.
When you choose SGF, you help:
Expand access.
Reduce isolation.
Strengthen families.
Foster inclusion.
Sixty-six families gifted.
Over 3,000 families reached.
Five years strong.
And we are honored to continue building this mission — together.
