Brandon Tolson Foundation

Annual BTF "UN"-Holiday Party
2025-12-16 18:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Liberatore’s, 562 Baltimore Pike, Bel Air, MD, 21014, United States
Hello dear families! Jon and I understand how difficult the holiday season can be for all of you and so, we want to invite you to join us for our annual “UN”-Holiday gathering. It’s an evening of good food and wonderful company where we can support each other in fellowship and understanding of the holidays without our children.
We’ve chosen for us to have sit down dinner with 4 entree choices – Chicken Giovanni, Veal Parmigiana, Shrimp Scampi or Crab Ravioli. Appetizers and desserts too and a cash bar
You can obtain your complimentary ticket on our website at https://brandontolsonfoundation.org/product/un-holiday-party-2025/. When making your purchase, you will need to choose your choice of entree from the drop down menu.
We know how quickly our calendars fill up towards the end of the year so, mark your calendars and get your ticket ASAP. Please do so by December 8th as we need to provide the restaurant with a head count.
This event is only for our, BTF Moms and Dads. With the growth of our families, we are unable to enable you to extend an invitation to others within your family.
We hope you’ll spend the evening with us and perhaps ease the tension of the season.

BTF Loss Due To Suicide Support Group
2025-08-19 19:00 - 20:15 | Har-Co, 30 N. Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, MD, 21014, United States
The way a child passes away brings a range of unique challenges to the grieving process for their parents. We are pleased to announce the formation of our support group for those who have lost a child to suicide.
Amy Ocasio, a licensed professional clinical counselor and a BTF parent, will coordinate the group. Having lost her son Thomas to suicide in July 2019, she has a deep understanding of clinical depression and its effects on both those contemplating suicide, those who tragically take their own lives and those left behind.
This group aims to create a supportive environment for BTF parents who have experienced the loss of a child to suicide. It offers a safe space to share and navigate your grief alongside others who understand your journey. We hope this group brings our parents comfort and support to our parents.
Meetings will take place on the third Tuesday of each month at the Har-Co Resource Center in Bel Air. Please register in advance at to help us with attendance expectations – Suicide Support Group Registration

February 2026 BTF Moms Gathering – Tea & Talk
2026-02-22 13:00 - 15:00 | Emmorton Event Center, 3013 Emmorton Road, Abingdon, 21009, United States
🫖 February BTF Moms Gathering: Tea & Talk ☕
This February, we invite you to slow down, sip some tea, and join us for “Tea & Talk”—an afternoon of intentional conversation and meaningful connection with fellow BTF moms walking the path of grief.
This gathering offers a safe space to be seen, heard, and held. There’s no pressure to share—come as you are, whether to talk, listen, or simply be in the presence of others who understand.
Event Details:
📅 Date: Sunday, February 22nd, 2026
🕔 Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 Location: The Emmorton Event Center – 3013 Emmorton Road, Abingdon (behind Rita’s Italian Ice)
☕ A light fare lunch will be available, including a variety of teas, sandwiches, and desserts.
Please RSVP to Crystal Yamber, our BTF Moms Coordinator, by Friday, February 20th via direct message or email HERE.
We hope you’ll join us for this gentle afternoon of connection and community.

March BTF Moms Gathering – Easter Basket Drive
2026-03-26 18:30 - 20:00 | Emmorton Event Center, 3013 Emmorton Road, Abingdon, 21009, United States
March BTF Moms Gathering: Easter Basket Drive
Hi BTF Moms,
This month, we are coming together for a special gathering as part of our second Easter Basket Drive to help children in need in our local community. We warmly invite you to join us as we assemble (stuff and wrap) Easter baskets together. Our goal is to prepare 30 baskets for children of varied ages. This simple act of service allows us to share kindness with families in our community, honor our children, and turn the love we carry for them into something meaningful that can brighten another child’s day.
This gathering also holds a deeper meaning and purpose. Most importantly, it offers us the opportunity to spend time together in a safe and supportive space, connecting with other moms who understand the journey of child loss.
Event Details:
📅 Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
🕔 Time: 6:30 PM
📍 Location: The Emmorton Event Center – 3013 Emmorton Road, Abingdon (behind Rita’s Italian Ice)
What to bring: We kindly ask that each person bring one basket and a bag of candy to contribute. All other basket fillings will be funded by BTF.
Pizza and cookies will be provided while we assemble baskets and spend time chatting together. You are also welcome to bring your own wine or preferred beverage.
Please RSVP by Saturday, March 21 in this post or by email at crystal@brandontolsonfoundation.org. If you have any questions, please feel free to message me directly.
I hope you can join us for this meaningful evening.
Please RSVP to Crystal Yamber, our BTF Moms Coordinator, by Friday, February 20th via direct message or email.
We hope you’ll join us for this gentle afternoon of connection and community.
Crystal Yamber
crystal@brandontolsonfoundation.org

April BTF Moms Gathering – Barrett's On the Pike
2026-04-26 16:00 - 18:00 | Barrett’s On the Pike, 588 Baltimore Pike, Bel Air, MD, 21014, United States
April BTF Moms Gathering – Barrett’s On The Pike
Hi BTF Moms,
As we move into a new season, we would love for you to join us for our BTF Moms Spring Gathering—a gentle afternoon to connect, share space, and simply be in the presence of other moms who understand this journey.
This gathering offers an opportunity to step away for a few hours, enjoy a meal together, and connect in a private, quiet space just for us.
There is no pressure to share—come exactly as you are. Whether you feel like talking, listening, or simply sitting with others who understand, this space is for you.
Event Details:
📅 Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026
🕔 Time: 4P
📍 Location: Barrett’s On the Pike – 588 Baltimore, Pike, Bel Air
Please RSVP by Thursday, 4/23 so I can confirm our reservation. You can email me at crystal@brandontolsonfoundation.org or message me via Facebook.
We truly hope you’ll join us for this special afternoon together. Limited space is available.
Crystal Yamber
crystal@brandontolsonfoundation.org

May BTF Moms Gathering - Creative Night
2026-05-28 18:00 - 19:30 | St. Paul’s School, 11232 Falls Road, Brooklandville, MD, 21022, United States
🌞🪟 May Gathering – Creative Night
Join us on Thursday, May 28th at 6:00 PM as we gather together to create our own luminous suncatcher puzzle crafts — a relaxing and meaningful activity designed for connection, holding space for one another, and spending intentional time together as we navigate the lifelong journey of child loss.
✨ Location:
This craft night will be co-hosted in our very own Shannon Cheston’s classroom at:
St. Paul’s School
11232 Falls Road
Brooklandville, MD 21022
Parking directions will be sent prior to the event date.
✨ Supplies:
All supplies will be provided for you to assemble your suncatcher. ALL COSTS ARE COVERED BY BTF.
Check out this video for a sneak peek of the craft:
Glazed Mountain Moon Light Suncatcher-Acrylic Window Art
✨ Food & Beverage:
Light fare will be available, but please bring your beverage of choice.
To reserve your seat, please RSVP by Tuesday, May 26th by sending me either a Facebook message or an email at crystal@brandontolsonfoundation.org.
This isn’t just about crafting something beautiful, but more importantly about creating bonds. We are a motherhood, we are a sisterhood, we are a community 💙🐘

Restoring Balance & Wellness After Child Loss Webinar
2026-06-04 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
Please join us for our June “Restoring Wellness and Balance After Child Loss” on Thursday, June 4th at 6P.
Message from Candi: I have worked to create a place where you can go to find nourishing ways to take care of yourself as you travel the road of child loss and I’m thrilled to have scheduled our 2nd Restoring Wellness and Balance After Child Loss webinar led by a very special person who I have made a connection within my own search for healing.  Her name is Caroline Ciocca.She is an extremely warm individual, with expertise in personal growth and in coaching and helping people find clarity and confidence and to deepen self-awareness.
I have found her to be a true inspiration and have decided to collaborate with her to find and share with you real ways to replenish your bodies and souls after losing a child. There will also be a grief therapist by the name of Dr. Creel who is an excellent voice in grief and how to navigate loss.  If you know me, I am a HUGE advocate of self-care and wellness, yoga, breath work and feeding your soul.  The idea is to help restore balance and peace through the emotional and physical strain of our grief. It is about finding small meaningful ways to nurture yourself in the midst of grief.
The sessions will be held remotely via zoom without video so you don’t have to be seen and there will be a chat where you can ask questions and insert your thoughts. They will be held every other month with set dates so you can mark your calendars and they will be 45-60 minutes in length. Each segment will cover a different element with examples of ways to care for our hearts, minds and bodies.
Please join us!
Pre-register HERE

BTF Parent Zoom Support Call
2026-06-08 18:30 - 19:30 | Zoom
Our June BTF Parent Support Call will be on Monday, June 8th 6:30P.
Please register in advance HERE
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Capacity is fifteen (15) parents.
We do ask that you are at least 3 months into your grief journey so that we can provide equal support to all attendees. For those you that are in the 3 months of your grief journey, we do have partnerships with grief counselors for a more personal approach with one on one support. You can find those HERE.
Going forward, these calls will be held on the 2nd Monday of each month unless there is a holiday. As always, please contact Candi if you need additional assistance or support.

June BTF Moms Gathering - An Evening At Hidden Hippie Lavendar Farm
2026-06-25 18:00 - 19:30 | HIdden Hippie Lavendar Farm, 3741 Burkins Road, Street, 21154, United States
Hi BTF Moms!
For our June summer series, we invite you to join us for a peaceful evening at Hidden Hippie Lavender Farm.
There’s no agenda—just an opportunity to be together. Surrounded by the beauty and scent of lavender, we’ll spend intentional time connecting, sharing space, and simply being in the company of other moms who understand this journey. Whether you feel like talking, listening, or quietly taking it all in, this space is for you. There is no pressure to share—simply come as you are.
There is something healing about slowing down, breathing deeply, and spending time with women who truly understand. We hope you’ll join us for this special evening of connection and self-care.
What to Bring: Bring a lawn chair or blanket, your favorite beverage, and settle in for a relaxing evening among the lavender fields.
Light fare will be available for grazing. As always, all costs are covered by BTF.
Please RSVP by June 22 by sending me a Facebook message or emailing crystal@brandontolsonfoundation.org.
With love, Crystal
PS -If you’d like a preview of the beautiful setting we’ll be enjoying, take a look at Hidden website. The photos truly capture the peaceful atmosphere and beauty of the farm.
https://hiddenhippielavenderfarm.com/hiddenhippielavender…)
