Nearly five years after an accident took the life of Kendra and Dave Hendrickson's 2-year-old, the couple is helping other area families in need.
For the Love of Coop is a nonprofit formed in July to honor the memory of their only child Cooper, said Kendra Hendrickson.
The Toutle couple lost their son in August 2020 when he was riding with his father on a lawn mower on their 5-acres property and fell off the side, she said. He died instantly.
The outpouring of support from the community — from delivering groceries to starting a GoFundMe — inspired the Hendricksons to pay the good will forward.
“They kind of wrapped their arms around us, like a small community does," she said.
The first event in Cooper's honor was collecting Christmas gifts for kids in need the December after the accident.
Volunteers helped about 10 kids the first year, and 158 kids, which covered 60 families, last year.
She said parents typically ask for necessities like bedding, deodorant, gloves, hats, and socks. The organization receives individual donations, as well as through organizations like the PeaceHealth cardiology department, she added.
For the Love of Coop's July golf tournament helps fill the gap left between donations and items requested, said Kelso Councilman and For the Love of Coop volunteer Keenan Harvey.
Christmas isn't the group's only time for giving.
On Saturday, the nonprofit will hold its second annual Easter egg hunt. The event will support the Timberlake Church Backpack Buddies program, which provides food for kids to take home over the weekends.
There will be a kids' craft table, five egg hunts based on ages, and an Easter bunny visit. Kelso Youth Baseball will also sell hot dogs, chips, candy, water and soda.
If you go
What: For The Love of Coop Easter egg hunt
When: Noon, Saturday
Where: Tam O’Shanter Park, Kelso
