Bubba’s Fund

10/16/2026

Two teams. Two coaches. Two children whose legacies continue to grow.

This Saturday, October 17, UW-La Crosse Eagles travels to Green Bay for an exhibition against the Phoenix.

But this game means a little more than basketball.

Green Bay head coach Kayla Karius and her family remember their son, Macklin, through a tradition known as Macklin’s Game, bringing awareness to pregnancy and infant loss and creating space for families to remember children gone too soon.

On the other bench will be Coach Moran Lonning and the UWL Eagles.

Coach Mo and her family know that loss personally. Bubba’s Fund was created in memory of her son, Charlie “Bubba” Lonning Weber, who died unexpectedly at just three months old in September 2024.

Two programs connected through basketball, but also through something much deeper.

As we recognize Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we’re grateful for opportunities like this to bring families together, share stories, and remind people that the lives of these children continue to matter.

We’re thankful to Coach Karius and the Green Bay Phoenix for using their platform to honor Macklin and other children whose families carry their memories forward.

We’ll be cheering for the Eagles on Saturday, but we know this game represents something bigger than the final score.

For Macklin. For Charlie. For Children.

Saturday, October 17 | 1 p.m.
UW-La Crosse at Green Bay
Kress Events Center, Green Bay
Ticket Information - https://tickets.uwgb.edu/athletics/Online/mapSelect.asp

10/15/2026

A name. A date. A memory. A candle.

Tonight’s Wave of Light is about remembering the children who are loved and missed every day.

Some families have years of memories to share. Others have only a few precious moments, hopes for a future together, or memories of a pregnancy that ended too soon.

Every story matters.

As we’ve been learning from organizations supporting bereaved families around the world, remembrance doesn’t have to look the same for everyone.

If there’s a baby, child, or young person you’d like us to remember alongside you tonight, we invite you to share their name, a meaningful date, or a favorite memory in the comments.

You’re also welcome to send us a private message or simply participate quietly.

No explanation is necessary. No story is too small. And no one needs to share anything publicly to be part of tonight’s remembrance.

At 7 p.m., we’ll light a candle for Charlie and for all the families remembering someone they love.

We’ll remember them with you.

For Charlie. For Children. 🌈

10/15/2026

October 15 is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day.

For Bubba’s Fund, this day is personal.

Charlie “Bubba” Lonning Weber was born June 21, 2024, and died unexpectedly on September 16, 2024, at just three months old.

His life was short, but his impact continues to grow.

Today, we remember Charlie. We also recognize the countless families who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss, and the heartbreak of saying goodbye far too soon.

And while today’s observance specifically recognizes pregnancy and infant loss, we also want to acknowledge the families who have lost children and young people of any age.

The loss of a child doesn’t become any less significant because of their age. Every child is someone’s, whether they lived for a few moments, a few months, or many years.

Some families have photographs and years of memories together. Others never had the opportunity to hold their baby, give them a name, or bring them home.

Every one of those lives matters.
Every one of those losses deserves recognition.

Tonight at 7 p.m., families around the world will participate in the International Wave of Light, lighting candles in remembrance of babies whose lives ended far too soon.

As we light a candle for Charlie, we invite you to join us in remembering children of all ages whose lives ended too soon.

Throughout the day, we’ll share more about this worldwide remembrance and how you can participate.

For Charlie. For Children. 🌈

10/15/2026

Save tomorrow night for the Wave of Light.

Tomorrow, October 15, at 7 p.m., families around the world will light candles in remembrance of babies gone too soon.

We’ll be lighting one for Charlie, and we invite you to join us in remembering the little lives that continue to mean so much.

Light a candle. Remember a name. Share a moment.

We’ll share more tomorrow morning about Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day and how you can participate.

For Charlie. For Children. 🌈

10/10/2026

Where can families turn?

When a family experiences pregnancy, infant, or child loss, finding support shouldn’t become another overwhelming task.

Fortunately, there are organizations doing meaningful work to help families navigate grief, connect with others, and find resources when they need them.

Here are three worth knowing (you can find and support them on social media):

Star Legacy Foundation
Provides pregnancy and infant loss education, bereavement resources, and opportunities for families to connect through support groups and peer support.
https://starlegacyfoundation.org

Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support
Offers grief support, educational resources, and opportunities for families to connect with others who have experienced loss.
https://nationalshare.org

March of Dimes
Provides information and resources for families navigating miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss.
https://marchofdimes.org

These organizations serve different needs, and no single resource is right for every family. But knowing they exist can be an important first step.

We’re also learning more about resources available right here in the La Crosse area, and we hope to share those connections as we confirm them.

Do you know of a local organization, support group, or program helping families after the loss of a baby or child?

Please share it in the comments or send us a message. We’d love to learn more and help others find it.

For Charlie. For Children. 🌈

10/05/2026

When someone you care about loses a pregnancy, infant or child, it can be hard to know what to say.

Sometimes that fear means we don’t say anything at all.

This month, we’ve been looking at how organizations around the world help families navigate loss, and one resource that stood out comes from Sands, a pregnancy and baby loss organization in the United Kingdom.

They have an entire campaign called “Finding the Words.”

One of the lessons is remarkably simple: you don’t need to have the perfect words or know how to fix someone’s grief.

Acknowledge their loss.

Say their child’s name.

Listen if they want to talk.

Keep checking in after the first few days and weeks.

And don’t disappear simply because you’re afraid of saying the wrong thing.

Sands has also built an extensive Bereavement Support Book that families can navigate at their own pace, with information for different moments and different needs. You don’t have to read it all. You find what you need when you need it.

https://www.sands.org.uk/support-you/how-we-offer-support/sands-bereavement-support-book

We think there’s something important in that.

Throughout October, we’re going to highlight resources and support systems from here in our community, across the country and around the world. We’re learning what already exists, what others have learned, and how families are being supported.

Because maybe the first thing we all need to understand is this:

You don’t have to know exactly what to say.

You just have to care enough to show up.

For Charlie. For Children. 🌈

10/01/2026

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

This month means something deeply personal to Bubba’s Fund.

Our organization exists because of Charlie “Bubba” Lonning Weber, who was born June 21, 2024, and died unexpectedly on September 16, 2024, at just three months old.

Two years later, we’ve found ourselves asking another question:

What happens after a family experiences the loss of a pregnancy or infant?

Where do they turn? Who helps? What resources exist? And what happens when a family doesn’t even know what they need or what to ask for?

We’ve started reaching out, listening and learning.

Throughout October, we’ll share some of what we’re discovering while remembering the little lives that ended far too soon and the families who carry them forward.

Remember. Support. Connect.

For Charlie. For Children. 🌈

09/30/2026

998. 🌈

We’re officially two followers away from 1,000.

So… who wants to be #1,000?

Jump on the bandwagon. We’re just getting started, with big things ahead as we continue supporting our community and improving the lives of children through our partnerships and efforts.

Today, nearly 1,000 people are following Charlie’s story and the work being done in his name.

Pretty cool milestone.

2 to go.

09/23/2026

This one means a lot.

Congratulations to Coach Moran “Coach Mo” Lonning on being named YWCA La Crosse’s 2026 Empowering Women Award recipient.

We’ve had a front-row seat to the way Coach Mo leads. She doesn’t just talk about developing strong women and good people. She creates opportunities for her players to live it.

UW-La Crosse Athletics and UW-La Crosse Women’s Basketball have continued to show up for Bubba’s Fund, for Charlie’s Kids Fest, for Bubba’s Youth Night and, most importantly, for kids throughout our community.

Basketball gives Coach Mo a platform. What she and her players choose to do with that platform is what makes us so proud to have them in Bubba’s Fund’s corner.

Congratulations, Coach Mo.
We’re incredibly proud of you.

And congratulations to all five of this year’s Tribute to Outstanding Women honorees. We look forward to celebrating you on November 5.

Meet your 2026 Tribute to Outstanding Women honorees!

This year, we are honored to celebrate five incredible women whose leadership, courage, and commitment are making a difference in our community:

🌟 Eliminating Racism: Dr. Sara Docan-Morgan
🌟 Empowering Women: Moran “Coach Mo” Lonning
🌟 Emerging Leader: Isabel Ortiz
🌟 Trailblazer: Allison Krzych
🌟 Legacy: June Reinert

Join us November 5 as we celebrate their stories, their impact, and the work they continue to inspire.

🎟️ Tickets are now available: givebutter.com/tow26