Donor Spotlight: Blakely Loftin & Family—A Holiday Tradition Rooted in Giving
For Blakely Loftin and her family, the holiday season isn’t about exchanging gifts—it’s about coming together to give back.
For many years, Blakely’s extended family has chosen a charitable organization to support during their annual Christmas gathering, replacing gifts with generosity. Each year, a different family member selects the cause. When it was Blakely and her family’s turn at Christmas 2025, the choice felt both meaningful and deeply personal.
Although their extended family spans South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Colorado, and Montana—and Blakely’s family of four is the only one living in Virginia—they wanted to support a local Richmond organization with a genuine connection to their lives. Better2gether quickly rose to the top.
“Our family has crossed paths with Better2gether in so many ways over the years,” Blakely shared. While their children attended preschool, Reveille Weekday School participated in collections for Better Bags. The family has also taken part in a Better2gether 5K. In addition, they know Dr. Tiffany Kimbrough, Medical Director of the Complex Care Unit at Children’s Hospital of Richmond, who sees firsthand the daily impact Better2gether has on families caring for children with rare and complex medical needs.
“Better2gether supports the whole family—not just the diagnosis—and that kind of compassionate, wrap-around care makes a real difference for families who are navigating incredibly complex medical journeys,” said Blakely Loftin.
“With all of those connections, we knew our family’s annual collection could truly benefit these families and make a meaningful difference.”
What resonates most with Blakely and her family is Better2gether’s wrap-around approach to care.
“We love how Better2gether supports not just the patient, but the entire family,” she explained. “Families facing rare diseases often lack a strong network of resources and community. Better2gether helps fill those gaps so families don’t feel alone.”
That philosophy mirrors how the Loftin family approaches giving. Shifting the focus of their Christmas gathering from receiving to giving has been deeply impactful.
“We’re grateful to come together in support of a cause rooted in love and compassion,” Blakely said. “It’s a powerful way to turn our attention outward and remind ourselves what the season is really about.”
Blakely believes organizations like Better2gether play a vital role because they support the whole family—not just the diagnosis.
“Families with medically complex children face emotional, financial, and logistical challenges every single day,” she shared. “Because Better2gether provides compassionate, community-based care, they can respond quickly and personally to needs that larger systems often overlook.”
For other families considering supporting Better2gether, Blakely offers a heartfelt message:
“When you support Better2gether, you’re helping your RVA neighbors,” she said. “Whether through financial gifts or physical donations, your generosity translates directly into services, resources, and programs that truly change lives. You’re supporting the entire family unit—patients, caregivers, siblings—and that impact is profound.”