Ministry has supported more than 400 families; event set for December 12 at Elkins Lake Club House
Growing Ministry Rooted in Personal and Community Experience
HUNTSVILLE, Texas — First Touch Family founder Chrissy Cogdell said the organization has now supported “well over 400 families” grieving the death of a child, as preparations continue for its fourth annual Night of Remembrance on December 12 at the Elkins Lake Club House.
Cogdell said the ministry began taking shape after her own family’s experiences with loss, explaining that her grandparents had also walked through the deaths of their children and later helped others facing similar tragedies. She said First Touch Family grew from those early examples of care.
Expanding Support Across States
Though officially founded in 2022, Cogdell said the organization’s work began earlier and has since expanded beyond Texas. First Touch Family has mailed blessing boxes to families in 24 states.
During the summer floods, Cogdell said First Touch Family sent 33 blessing boxes to families who lost children, adding that the organization continued following up with parents long after the initial relief efforts ended.
Full-Family Impact of Child Loss
Cogdell said she originally expected the ministry to focus on mothers but quickly saw that grief reaches far beyond.
“That type of grief is a full family. It affects the whole family,” she said, explaining that the organization now includes resources for parents, siblings and grandparents.
She said early grief can be a vulnerable time. “In early grief, we have an opportunity to really share the hope that we have in Christ.”
Community Partnerships Strengthening the Mission
Cogdell credited local churches with helping sustain the ministry’s work. She thanked First Baptist Church Huntsville and Northside Baptist Church for providing pastoral support and involvement in difficult cases.
She said the ministry often steps into situations many people are hesitant to discuss. “It is not an easy ministry,” she said. “Most don’t want to talk about it, because if it can happen to me, it can happen to you.”
Local Businesses Providing Critical Support
Cogdell said Huntsville businesses have repeatedly stepped in to assist First Touch Family.
She noted support from Ace Hardware, VeraBank and Weisner, along with families and individuals who underwrite key programs. She said the generosity allows the ministry to offer most services with little or no cost to grieving families.
Night of Remembrance Designed for Families in Grief
First Touch Family will host its fourth annual Night of Remembrance on December 12, 2025, at the Elkins Lake Club House, 632 Cherry Hills, Huntsville.
Cogdell said the event is specifically for families who have lost a child, sibling or grandchild. She described it as “heartbreakingly beautiful,” emphasizing that the evening centers on remembering the children by name and acknowledging their lives and legacies.
Navigating the Holidays After Loss
Cogdell said many families struggle during the holiday season, and some have told her the remembrance dinner is “the only thing they do during the holidays.”
She said underwriting partnerships ensure the event is available at “very little to no cost,” making it possible for families to attend without financial barriers.
Invitation to First Responders and Justice Officials
Cogdell said the organization is also inviting first responders and officials who regularly assist families at the scenes of tragedies. She said the ministry hopes to strengthen connections with the people who often witness the earliest moments of a family’s loss.
Event Registration and Ongoing Support
Tickets, sponsorships and memorial opportunities for the Night of Remembrance are available at firsttouchfamily.org.
The nonprofit continues to offer grief resources, blessing boxes and year-round support for families navigating loss. First Touch Family can be reached at 936-661-9236.
The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and donations are tax deductible under Tax ID 88-2791540.