Respite Retreats

10/16/2026

💜 Small Acts of Service. BIG Impact!

What happens when an amazing group of young leaders shows up ready to lend a hand? A WHOLE LOT of good gets done! 🙌

We were thrilled to welcome volunteers from Leadership U Howard County to Respite Retreats, and boy, did we put them to work! 💪

🎃 Helping us prepare for our upcoming Trunk or Treat event with the Cool Kids Campaign.

🧺 Putting together special welcome baskets for guests attending our upcoming overnight retreat.

🧹 Tackling the not-so-glamorous task of cleaning up the remaining mess from our sewer leak. (Because let’s face it, not every volunteer job is pretty! 😂)

These incredible young people jumped right in with enthusiasm, positive attitudes, and a willingness to do whatever was needed.

THIS is what community service and leadership are all about! Showing up, rolling up your sleeves, and making a difference wherever you’re needed.

A HUGE thank you to Leadership U Howard County for sharing your time, energy, and hearts with us. You helped take a whole lot off our plates, and we couldn’t be more grateful! 💜

The future of Howard County is looking pretty bright with young leaders like these! ✨



Leadership Howard County

10/15/2026

💗 THANKFUL THURSDAY | Where Beauty Meets Kindness 💗

✨ Sometimes, the most beautiful transformations have nothing to do with what we see in the mirror, but everything to do with how someone makes us feel. ✨

This Thankful Thursday, we are shining a very special spotlight on Rachel Gribbin, owner of DEFINE Hair & Skin in Ellicott City, whose generosity, compassion, and beautiful heart continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve. 💕

Each October, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Rachel graciously opens the doors of her salon and partners with Respite Retreats to create something truly special — our annual Night of Beauty.

Next Wednesday, October 21, six incredible individuals navigating a breast cancer journey will be treated to an evening that's all about THEM! From hair styling and scalp spa experiences to makeup application, professional photos, refreshments, and meaningful connections, this evening offers so much more than pampering. It's an opportunity to feel celebrated, confident, beautiful, and surrounded by love. 🌸

For a few precious hours, the focus shifts away from appointments, treatments, and the challenges of a diagnosis to laughter, friendship, self-care, and simply enjoying the moment.

Rachel, your kindness extends far beyond the walls of your salon. Your willingness to continually give back, share your talents and resources, and create space for others to feel valued and uplifted speaks volumes about the person you are.

We are incredibly grateful not only for your continued partnership, but also for the genuine friendship you have brought to the Respite Retreats family. Your generosity is a beautiful reminder that when businesses lead with heart, they can make an extraordinary impact on their communities.

To Rachel and the wonderful DEFINE Hair & Skin team, THANK YOU for helping us remind these amazing individuals that their beauty, strength, and spirit shine brightly through every season of life. 💗

We can't wait to share another unforgettable Night of Beauty with you next week!

https://defineofficial.com/

💜 Beauty lives in courage. Kindness creates connection. And together, we make beautiful moments possible.

10/14/2026

🧩 PIECES OF KINDNESS, PUZZLES OF HOPE! 💜

Respite Retreats is excited to once again partner with RZ Dental Group for our annual Puzzles for Patients collection!

Thanks to the generosity of so many wonderful people, we’re already off to an AMAZING start! 💜

We’re collecting NEW, UNOPENED puzzles through October 31st to bring a little joy, comfort, and distraction to local cancer patients during their journey.

🧩 Want to help us put the pieces together?

Simply visit our Amazon Wish List and purchase a puzzle to brighten someone’s day!

🛒 DONATE HERE: https://a.co/06Wge7iM

A HUGE thank you to RZ Dental and everyone who has already contributed! Together, we’re proving that even the smallest pieces can make a BIG difference! 💜

10/13/2026

💜 Testimonial Tuesday 💜

10/12/2026

💜 Support Respite Retreats for a chance to win a stunning diamond necklace valued at $5,295! 💎

🎟️ $50 each or 3 for $100!

Purchase your chances here: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/DVETMD9B6T8KQ

Winner drawn October 18th! 💜

10/11/2026

💎 A little luxury. A little luck. A whole lot of love! 💜

Someone is about to add some serious sparkle to their jewelry collection… and it could be YOU! ✨

Thanks to the incredible generosity of Sergio’s Fine Jewelers, Respite Retreats is raffling off a breathtaking 14K yellow gold diamond circle pendant necklace, featuring 1.0 TDW in diamonds and valued at $5,295! 😍

And the best part? Every chance purchased helps us do something truly priceless — create moments of joy, connection, and much-needed respite for individuals affected by cancer and the people who love them.

💎 $50 = 1 chance to win
💎 $100 = 3 chances to win

📅 Winner drawn October 18th!

Imagine this beauty around your neck… or surprising someone special with a gift they’ll never forget! ❤️

A heartfelt THANK YOU to Sergio’s Fine Jewelers for turning something beautiful into something meaningful. Your generosity truly helps us refuel spirits! 💜

🎟️ DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO SPARKLE!

https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/DVETMD9B6T8KQ

Because diamonds are beautiful… but making a difference is priceless. 💎💜

Elegant and eye-catching, this 14KY 1.0 TDW Circle Pendant Necklace blends bold design with refined sparkle. Crafted in rich 14 karat yellow gold, the necklace features a substantial, modern link chain that adds both strength and style. At its center, a perfectly formed open circle is adorned with 1...

10/11/2026

JessFest 2026 — A Day Filled with Love, Laughter, and a Whole Lot of Jess! 💜

If these pictures could talk, they would tell a beautiful story of love, community, laughter, and a legacy that continues to touch so many lives.

From little ones decorating pumpkins and showing off their creativity,to furry friends, sweet treats, face painting, hayrides, and an incredible fireworks display to end the evening, JessFest was everything a celebration of life should be!

A special part of the day was Jess Beard's Ears Over Fears, celebrating courage, spreading smiles, and reminding children that even the bravest little warriors deserve moments of magic and joy.

But beyond all the fun was something even more meaningful. A community brought together by one extraordinary woman whose light continues to shine.

Jess Stach Beard may no longer be physically with us, but her spirit was everywhere. In the smiles of children, the laughter shared between friends, the memories proudly displayed, and the incredible people who continue to show up in her honor.

One of the most meaningful moments of the day was hearing Jess’s husband, Jon Beard share stories of courageous cancer warriors whose lives remind us why this mission matters. His words brought a deeper meaning to the celebration and reminded us that behind every cancer diagnosis is a person, a family, and a story that deserves to be heard.

To Jess’s incredible family — and by family, I mean every single person who loved her and continues to carry her legacy forward — thank you. Thank you for turning your love for Jess into something that brings joy, hope, and comfort to others. What you’ve created is so much more than an annual event. It’s a beautiful reflection of the woman Jess was and the love she inspired.

On behalf of Respite Retreats, thank you to everyone who organized, volunteered, sponsored, attended, and supported JessFest. Your generosity helps us continue providing meaningful experiences, connection, and moments of respite for individuals and families facing cancer.

JessFest reminds us that even in the midst of heartbreak, there can be joy. Even through loss, there can be purpose. And when love is this powerful, a legacy never ends.

And as those fireworks lit up the sky, I couldn’t help but think how fitting it was to end a day celebrating someone who brought so much light into this world.

Jess, you would have loved seeing all those smiles. 💜