BRANDON, FL — Art created by grieving children, local artists and community members will take center stage Oct. 15 as Hand in Hand Brandon hosts its second annual Art Heals the Heart Gala, a fundraiser supporting free grief support programs for children and their families.
The event will feature a silent art auction, raffle baskets, guest speakers, dancing and interactive art experiences. Hosted at The Regent in Riverview, the gala is expanding this year to accommodate 150 guests, twice as many as last year's inaugural event. Tickets can be found online here.
Proceeds will help Hand in Hand Brandon continue providing peer grief support to children who have experienced the death of a loved one, while also supporting plans for a future retreat program designed to help grieving families heal in nature.
For founder Keisha Wheeler, the nonprofit's work is deeply personal.
She established Hand in Hand Brandon through the Patrick Wesley Wheeler Foundation following the death of her husband, Patrick, who died from a ruptured aorta in December 2021. The couple had seven children, who ranged in age from 1 to 14, at the time.
The family had spent much of their lives serving others through community outreach, including feeding people experiencing homelessness and volunteering with children in foster care.
After her husband's death, Wheeler recognized the need for grief support specifically designed for children, she told Patch. When she learned that a local children's grief support program had closed, she decided to create one.
"Kids are the forgotten grievers," she said. "People are always like, 'Oh, they're young; they have their life ahead of them; they're resilient.' But they often don't get the support they need."
Hand in Hand Brandon provides peer support for grieving children ages 4 and older and their caregivers. The group meets twice a month at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Brandon, where families share a meal before breaking into smaller groups for activities and discussions.
The program helps children express their feelings, develop coping skills and connect with others who understand their experiences. Caregivers also receive guidance on recognizing and responding to their children's grief.
The organization has expanded its reach in recent months, adding seven families since April, Wheeler said. Virtual support opportunities have also allowed it to connect with families outside the Tampa Bay area.
"There's something about the community space of having like-minded people who get it," she said. "Most grown-ups, most children, they just want to feel like they're not alone."
One of the program's goals is to help children navigate milestones and everyday experiences after losing someone they love.
Wheeler recalled a young participant who was frightened about losing her first tooth without her father. During a group meeting, the child's tooth fell out, and the other children and volunteers celebrated with her.
The moment transformed what could have been a difficult experience into a shared memory, Wheeler said. "It became a big celebratory moment for her."
Art has become another way for participants to process their grief and share their experiences. At last year's gala, artwork sold out, including pieces created by young participants.
This year's event will again feature artwork from children in the program, local artists and art schools. Two local framing shops are also donating framing services for the auction pieces.
Additional activities will include a paint-by-numbers experience, a caricature artist and live painting. Raffle baskets will also feature donated items and experiences from local businesses and community partners.
The gala also will help advance the foundation's next major initiative, Oasis of Hope. Wheeler envisions several acres in Hillsborough or Pasco County where grieving families could spend a few days in a cottage surrounded by nature, free of charge.
The idea grew out of her own family's experience spending Father's Day at a small farm in Plant City after her husband's death. The family spent time outdoors, visited with farm animals and found a sense of calm during a difficult period, she said.
Wheeler hopes to offer other families a similar opportunity to step away from daily pressures and spend time together as they navigate loss.
"There's so much beauty in validating these experiences and giving them outlets," she said.
For Wheeler, Hand in Hand's work is also a way to honor her husband's legacy of service.
"It's a blessing for us to be able to pour back into the community," she said. "And it's his heartbeat. He would have absolutely loved this work."
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