LEAD THE WAY FOUNDATION HIGHLIGHTS

Minneapolis, MN -  Former Minnesota Viking Chad Greenway and his wife Jenni hosted their annual “TendHer Heart Luncheon” on Saturday.  Held at US Bank Stadium’s Polaris Room, their Lead the Way Foundation coordinated the Program for over 300 guests.  This year’s event had both an in-person and drive-through version, whereby 270 chose the sit-down luncheon, and nearly fifty drove-through.  Since 2014, Chad and Jenni Greenway have given the multi-phase, activity-rich luncheon, in support of a community close to their hearts.  

Click here to visit the TendHer Heart Luncheon Photo Gallery, 2021

The Greenways developed the “TendHer Heart” concept and program after having visited many ill children at Twin Cities’ hospitals early in his NFL career.  They sensed and saw the sheer exhaustion on Moms and Dads’ faces and heard their stories of boundless love, care, hardship, and caregiving.  Throughout the pediatric wards, they saw parents, grandparents, and guardians sleeping bedside with their chronically and terminally ill children, sometimes for days on-end.  Together, the couple found a way to recognize, to honor these parents and caregivers for their devotion and sacrifice;  for the undaunted devotion given to the comfort and care of their children.   

The TendHer Heart Luncheon happens each Fall, with Minneapolis-area mothers and caregivers of chronically and critically ill children invited to be pampered, honored, and encouraged by a room full of people who fully understand their complex and difficult situation.  Musical entertainment, door prizes, a fashion show, giveaways, and “swag bags” help make the afternoon of great food and camaraderie even more worthwhile.  Sharing their stories, experience, tears, support, and hope provides these Moms, aunts, grandmothers, guardians – all 24/7/365 caregivers – the rare opportunity to be among kindred spirits, within a community of understanding.  “This luncheon is our tribe!”  said a guest.   During one of the Mom’s stories, shared live from a raised podium, she spoke openly about her situation, then ended her emotional presentation by thanking Chad and Jenni for, "providing her the only opportunity she has to feel whole once a year."

After mingling among and  speaking with most of the day’s guests, yet before rounding out the program, Chad shared his personal admiration for every caregiver there, and joy in being able to provide some small recognition and support-system for them.  He and Jenni then spoke of their ongoing  appreciation for their many supporters, event and program sponsors and the Executive Members of the Lead the Way Foundation, “It is these individuals who champion the mission of the foundation that ultimately allows the foundation to host special and memorable programs, like the annual TendHER Heart Luncheon, allowing us to continue the impact our foundation creates in Minnesota.  Thank you all.”               

TendHer Heart Luncheon Impact Overview

Launch Year:         2014
Program impact to-date:         Nearly 1,600
2021 Recipients, all versions*:         Nearly 350    

*= 270 in-person guests; 50 drive-through guests;  approximately 30 who could not attend, gifts to be shipped.  

Event Photo Gallery, TendHer Heart Luncheon, 2021