Finding Strength in Unity: New Victory Lane Director Discovers Transformative Community

Posted on: December 19, 2024 By: Victory Lane Admin

MarQuest Higgins took on the role of Victory Lane Director this fall and has already successfully led the Chili Cookoff and Men’s Recharge weekend. He comes to Victory Lane with 18 years of leadership experience in the Respite/Waiver space of serving individuals with disability.  He is very motivated as an organizational leader and complements Brett’s visionary style of leadership. He is eager to meet donors, volunteers, and… most importantly… all the families impacted by the vision of Victory Lane.

The following are MarQuest’s reflections on the recent Men’s Recharge weekend. During this weekend, many of the guys associated with Victory Lane gathered to fellowship, share meals and friendly competition, and also to learn from one another:

As I reflect on the 2024 Victory Lane Men's Recharge, one word stands out: transformative. This wasn’t just a retreat; it was a journey—one that left every man who attended, myself included, feeling recharged, reconnected, and reinvigorated.

A standout of the weekend was the guidance provided by David Upchurch. His thoughtful lesson plans, group activities, and willingness to teach and share brought a new depth to our understanding of scripture. Through open discussions and interpretation, he created a space where it was safe to share our thoughts and we were encouraged to do so freely, without the fear of judgment or the need to defend our positions. It was eye-opening and refreshing— a reminder that faith flourishes in honesty and authenticity.

The billiards tournament brought another layer of connection. It wasn’t about competition but about camaraderie. Whether sinking a shot or missing the mark, there was constant laughter, encouragement, and that unmistakable bond of brotherhood. It was a moment to relax, let go, and simply enjoy the company of men united by a common purpose.

The retreat was made even more special by the incredible men who attended. David U., Delmar, David Y., Jimmy, Doug, Chad, Chef Chris, Brett, and Greg—each brought their unique spirit, passion, and heart to the weekend. They exemplify what it means to serve and be of service, and their actions reflected the legacy of Victory Lane in the most profound ways.

We ate like kings, fellowshipped like brothers, and worshipped as believers. Chef Chris ensured our meals were unforgettable, while the entire group contributed to an atmosphere of openness and genuine connection. For me, this weekend wasn’t just about meeting legacy members of Victory Lane—it was about witnessing their passion in action. Their dedication to serving others through both words and deeds was inspiring.

In the end, we were all winners at the Men's Recharge. This weekend reminded me of the power of unity, the importance of creating space for reflection and growth, and the transformative impact of shared purpose. As the Director of Victory Lane, I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this incredible journey.

To everyone who contributes to Victory Lane, thank you for making this experience one to remember. Together, we are building something far greater than ourselves— a community rooted in faith, service, and love.

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Teagan’s Tribe: Friendships Blossom During Camp

Posted on: October 11, 2024 By: Victory Lane Admin

Smiles abounded for Teagan, a Victory Kid, during her first Victory Lane summer camp experience. And it seemed her smiles were contagious, especially for her new friend Raegan.

Raegan has served as a Partner Kid for almost every Victory Lane summer camp session. This year, Raegan experienced camp through Teagan’s fresh eyes and found a new passion for serving.

“Teagan is really funny and artistic, and we had a lot of fun together,” Raegan shared. “It was great to see her connect and play with everyone.”

Teagan’s dad, Rusty, enjoyed watching his daughter connect with Raegan and the other kids.

“Raegan and the other teens interacted well together with Teagan, and everybody genuinely understood each other.” Rusty noted. “For our family, Victory Lane nailed it.”

Your support of Victory Lane makes these friendships happen. Become a regular supporter of friendships like Teagan and Raegan’s by visiting victorylanecamp.org/give.

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Climbing with Kenny: New Friendships Emerge During Camp

Posted on: September 17, 2024 By: Victory Lane Admin

Victory Lane hosted two camp sessions this year at Mahoning Valley, fostering an abundance of relationships and memories. Kenny and his dad Andy were among the Victory Families in attendance.

Before getting involved with Victory Lane, Kenny’s friend group was limited, even though he loves meeting new people. At Victory Lane’s summer camp session, he made many new friends and enjoyed spending time with them.

Kenny was surrounded by engaged and loving teens who were trained in how to help him get the most out of his camp experience. Kenny’s friends helped him explore the playground. Together, they climbed the stairs and returned safely. They also loved splashing around together in the pool.

“Kenny loved being with new people and spending time swimming,” Andy shared. “He had a good time, and I appreciated being with people who understand us.”

Kenny and Andy look forward to being part of the Victory Lane community in the months ahead. When you support Victory Lane, you help make friendships like these a reality. To become a monthly donor or give a one-time gift, visit victorylanecamp.org/give.

Read Victory Lane's 2024 Summer Report.

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Laughing Through the Rain with Friends Who Care

Posted on: September 13, 2024 By: Victory Lane Admin

Victory Lane’s summer camp sessions often have unplanned moments that provide unexpected joy. During the second camp session, a sudden rainstorm threatened to dampen the fun for Victory Kid Chayson and his friends Faith, Kitima, Mali, Bryce, and Cohen. 

Chayson’s friends knew they needed to get him to the nearby shelter without getting him or his wheelchair too wet. They ensured he was covered by a blanket and umbrella and then they made a run for it, getting drenched in the process.

“Chayson started laughing and smiling because he thought it was funny,” Faith remembered. His friends started laughing, too. Chayson was dry and warm while they were soaking wet.

Chayson and his mom know they can count on the friends they’ve made at Victory Lane. His camp friends learned the joy of putting others first and finding fun along the way.

When you give to Victory Lane, you make it possible for kids like Chayson to find friends who genuinely care. You make it possible for their friends to learn what it means to serve and to be a true friend. To become a monthly donor, visit victorylanecamp.org/give

Read Victory Lane's 2024 Summer Report.

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Father and Son Anticipate Finding New Connections Through Camp

Posted on: July 15, 2024 By: Victory Lane Admin

Kenny Anderson is a Victory Kid who loves telling people “Hi” in the grocery store. His dad, Andy, has watched him say “hi” repeatedly if the person doesn’t respond to him. Andy knows his son is just trying to make a connection.

While Andy doesn’t have trouble making connections with others, he knows that his son’s disability can stand in the way of friendships. Kenny can act out and doesn’t realize what he’s doing when he acts out.

“He just doesn’t know to connect,” Andy shared. “So I think that’s why he has trouble trying to build friendships with other kids his age.”

Andy knew he wanted to give Kenny a chance to enjoy fun activities and friendships with people who genuinely care about them. That’s why they signed up for a Victory Lane summer camp session this year.

This year’s summer camp session, funded primarily by your generous donations, happens in July at Mahoning Valley Christian Camp. Andy heard about the camp session through therapists at 321go Kids, the pediatric therapy clinic where he takes Kenny.

“When I initially found out about the camp, I was like ‘this is something I think he would enjoy doing,’” Andy noted.

Andy and Kenny are limited in what they can do together, and they are looking forward to building new friendships and participating in the activities at camp.

They got a taste of camp when they attended the recent Victory Lane pool party. Andy expressed: “I had a blast, and I know he did. He was super stoked. He didn’t want to leave.”

When Andy and Kenny attend their summer camp session, they’ll be matched with a Partner Family and a TIM (Teen In Mission). The group will spend time together, support one another, and find lasting connections. These connections are made possible by donors like you.

Victory Lane recently had a matching gift, which doubled donations so that more families like Andy and Kenny can attend camp and find new friends who accept them for who they are. The total amount raised so far is $17,353, $10,000 of which was DOUBLED for a total amount of $27,353. There is still time to give so that Victory Lane can reach even more families next summer. You can donate at VictoryLaneCamp.org/give.

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Better Together: How Serving At Victory Lane Helped This Family Find Meaning And Intention

Posted on: February 22, 2024 By: Christy Ragle

Stephanie Collis wasn’t sure about bringing her two daughters to Victory Lane 10 years ago. As a single mom who isn’t naturally social, she resisted any situation where she would be in close contact with people she didn’t know.

“In an effort to provide enriching experiences for my kids, I choose to be a little uncomfortable at times,” Stephanie shared.

She decided to push past her comfort zone to help her 8- and 9-year-old daughters develop a heart for serving others. This was a value that her own parents instilled in her by living out their lives in service to their family, church, and community. Reflecting back, she’s glad she brought her girls to serve as a partner Family at a Victory Lane summer camp session.

“Once involved, you meet all sorts of people with all sorts of personalities and realize that there’s a spot for everyone!  We are all unique and have something to offer,” she noted. “We grew up camping, so I love that part the most. I love the campfires!”

Stephanie’s dedication to developing a heart for service in her daughters has inspired both of them to pursue a career in serving others. Her now 19-year-old daughter Elliot is in her first year of college, studying elementary education. Erin, 17, is exploring occupational therapy schools for her next step.

“My children love their Victory Lane Partner Family experiences! They have clearly been impacted in their choices of careers,” Stephanie expressed.

“The thing I’ve been most grateful for (and we’ve spoken about as a family) is the ability to easily incorporate our experiences in our daily life.  We each have had opportunities to step out of a typical societal norm of ‘ignoring’ people with special needs to actually focusing on and ‘seeing’ each person instead.”

Stephanie’s decision to bring her children to serve at a Victory Lane summer camp session was challenging as a single mother, but she knew that life is too hard to navigate in isolation.

She concludes: “Life is easier in community. I had to help my kids understand that we had to do our best with where we were - but also to understand that even though things would never be ideal, we could always figure out a way to make it better — together!”

If you are looking for a meaningful service opportunity for your family, consider becoming a Partner Family at a Victory Lane summer camp session. Learn more at victorylanecamp.org/serve.

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