Events

Every gathering,
a promise kept.

Every plate served, every hand raised in the crowd, every dollar dropped in the box carries Koleson’s light one step further. Here is what our community has done together.

A promise kept.

Just wrapped

The full volunteer team gathered under the tent at the Chiavetta's Chicken BBQ

The team who carried it · Medina, NY

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SaturdayAug 29

2026 · Chiavetta’s Chicken BBQ · Medina, NY

Koleson’s First
Heavenly Birthday.

At Koleson’s 4th birthday party, we made a promise. If he made it to his 5th, we’d celebrate big.

He didn’t get to blow out those candles with us. On August 29, in a lakefront tent in Medina, we blew them out anyway, surrounded by every corner of Koleson’s life in shirts that read a name we love.

300

Dinners servedSold out

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The day, in photos09

Volunteer team gathered under the tent at the Chiavetta's Chicken BBQ

A young volunteer beside the Cared By Koleson yard sign, wearing an 'It's a good day to volunteer' tee

Volunteers plating Chiavetta's chicken under the tent

The volunteer line assembling BBQ plates with the lakefront in the background

A young volunteer smiling while packaging cornbread at the BBQ

Volunteers prepping coleslaw and sides before service

Volunteers lined up under the tent, ready to serve

The Cared By Koleson check-in and donation table

Two volunteers standing arm-in-arm outside the event tent

And then

Brady and Dominique with a cart of meals and kitchen supplies inside Ronald McDonald House Rochester

The story continues

From the tent to
the front door.

Every plate served at the BBQ keeps traveling. From the lakefront tent in Medina to the front door of Ronald McDonald House on Westmoreland Drive in Rochester.

Meals and kitchen supplies for the families staying close to their child at Golisano Children’s Hospital, so a hot meal and a stocked shelf can quietly lift a weight nobody else sees.

Because you showed up.

We cried on the way home. Not because we were sad, but because we are just so incredibly thankful. Thankful for everyone who is supporting us, believing in our mission, and helping us carry on Koleson’s legacy.
We miss him beyond words, but we know his light shines through us.

Brady & Dominique Meakin

Featured in the press

Orleans Hub

Aug 30, 2026

Read the article

Keep watch

More gatherings
on the horizon.

Fundraisers, community nights, and moments of remembrance are in the works for the seasons ahead. Follow along on our socials so you never miss one.

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forever four, forever bright

Every gathering,a promise kept.

Koleson’s FirstHeavenly Birthday.

From the tent tothe front door.

More gatheringson the horizon.

Every gathering,
a promise kept.

Koleson’s First
Heavenly Birthday.

From the tent to
the front door.

More gatherings
on the horizon.