Voices of Hope3.13.23

KJ Henry Meets Austin, Our Team – and Lil KJ

KJ Henry smiles and holds up a teal tote bag that reads Help Hope Live: Trusted Medical Fundraising in one hand and a knit doll of himself in the other hand. The doll has brown skin and a football uniform with a Clemson orange #5 jersey. KJ wears sunglasses and a cross necklace.

We made a special trip last month to introduce two phenomenal young men: Help Hope Live client and supporter KJ Henry, who supported our mission tirelessly through TigerImpact’s NIL program at Clemson, and Austin Somerville, a 19-year-old Help Hope Live client undergoing a paralysis recovery journey following a 2020 spinal cord injury.

KJ Henry meets with Help Hope Live support recipient

Their joyful meeting was supported by our Director of Outreach, Sonny Mullen, our Executive Director, Kelly L Green, and board member and supporter Brian Messner.

KJ Henry standing with Help Hope Live team member Sonny Mullen

Kelly L Green with Lil KJ Henry Clemson doll

Help Hope Live’s Sonny Mullen and Kelly Green hold a knit doll of KJ Henry, which has brown skin, curly black hair, and an orange #5 Clemson jersey. Kelly wears the same #5 orange Clemson jersey while Sonny wears a #23 orange Clemson jersey.

We brought along a special friend to help remind KJ of his time at Clemson and his support of our nonprofit: meet Lil KJ, a creation from ambassador Kristen Sachs of Yeti or Knot. Kristen is the wife and primary caregiver of spinal cord injury client Jeff Sachs.

A knitted KJ Henry doll with brown skin and an orange #5 Clemson jersey is at an indoor football practice field.

A knit Lil KJ Henry doll at Philadelphia Airport

A knitted KJ Henry doll with brown skin and an orange #5 Clemson jersey visits the LOVE Grille.

Lil KJ created by ambassador Kristen Sachs of Yeti or Knot

A knitted KJ Henry doll with brown skin and an orange #5 Clemson jersey sits in a car with the seatbelt fastened.

We won’t forget the magic moments when Austin and KJ connected. Austin has big shoes to fill at Clemson based on the legacy of compassion and commitment that KJ leaves behind—but we know he’s up to the task.