By Kirsten Dickamore, Gala Project Manager & Volunteer

My husband Jeff and I lived up the street from the Taylor Family for several years. Jeff and I both served in different capacities with Jennie and Brent at our church. Jennie and I became close friends in 2017 when I had complications after giving birth to our first child. She dropped everything and was there for me when I needed her.

I had a second child in 2018, and two weeks after I received the worst phone call telling me that Brent Taylor had been KIA. I went to their home and embraced Jennie and in the coming weeks I went to work, with a small group of women, cleaning her home once a week.

Fast forward, we moved away from the North Ogden area. We welcomed a fourth baby in 2021 and I was in dire need of connection to the adult world. I talked to Jennie, after serving at the Christmas Magic Wrapping party, and laid out all my feelings. She offered me a volunteer job helping with social media. We soon learned that my skills were better suited elsewhere, and I started helping to organize and manage all of the guests for the fundraising Gala.

I have helped in many other capacities, but raising five young kids makes it difficult to go to all the volunteer opportunities. My skill set and the ability to do all the service from home brings me back to helping organize the Gala every year. I received the title of Gala Project Manager in 2024.

I have loved being able to bring my kids to all the service opportunities that the Foundation provides. We have all helped set up and take down flags. We have hiked to the Major in the canyon every year (see photo) and we are all learning about true patriotism because of the service that all members of the Taylor family have offered.