Heart Memorial Unveiled at Valerie’s House Fort Myers Family is Forever Home
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On the evening of Friday, October 18th, Valerie’s House held a special event to unveil its Heart Memorial at the Fort Myers Family is Forever Home. This unique memorial, inspired by the Love Lock Bridge in Paris, is a tribute for anyone in the grieving community to honor the memory of lost loved ones.
The Heart Memorial, located in front of Valerie’s House, was designed by Marcy Turner, a grieving mother who lost her daughter Madison to a drug overdose in 2015. The memorial was born from Marcy’s desire to turn her pain into something beautiful, offering a space for grieving families to leave locks in memory of their loved ones.
Picture of Madison Turner
In a moving interview, Marcy’s younger daughter, Freya Turner, shared her experience of placing a lock on the memorial in honor of her sister Madison. Freya said, “It felt relieving. It was almost making the grief tangible... like she's still here, watching over us.”
This memorial is a tangible way for grieving children and families to express their love and loss. The smaller heart in the center of the memorial serves as a drop box for keys after locks are placed. It symbolizes a permanent connection to those who have passed, reminding us that love endures even through grief.
The event was covered by WINK News, who shared video footage along with an interview with Freya Turner. Valerie’s House is incredibly grateful to WINK News for helping spread the word about this special memorial. Their coverage helps shine a spotlight on the vital work Valerie’s House does for grieving children and families in Southwest Florida.
A Memorial for the Entire Grieving Community
Valerie’s House Founder and CEO, Angela Melvin, emphasized that the Heart Memorial is for anyone in the grieving community. If you would like to place a lock on the memorial in memory of a loved one, Valerie’s House invites you to reach out. You can visit the memorial and honor your loved ones by attaching a lock, symbolizing a permanent connection to their memory.
About Valerie’s House
Founded in 2016 by Angela Melvin, Valerie’s House provides a safe and supportive space for grieving children and families through peer support and counseling. With locations in Fort Myers, Naples, Punta Gorda, and Pensacola, the nonprofit has served over 5,000 children and their families across Southwest Florida. Valerie’s House aims to provide a comforting environment where children can share their grief, find healing, and connect with others who understand their loss.
To learn more about Madison and the inspiration behind the Heart Memorial, visit this page.
If you’re interested in learning more about placing a lock on the Heart Memorial or supporting the work Valerie’s House does for grieving families, please visit www.valerieshouse.org.
