12/01/2025
Dear Friends,
August 1, 2025, marked ten years since I lost my eldest son, James, to a he**in overdose—and this winter will mark nine years since I found a way to channel my love for him into something meaningful.
In the months after James passed, like many of you, I sought comfort in online support groups, hoping to find others who truly understood my grief. I was deeply moved by families who were transforming their sorrow into acts of kindness, and one project in California—a mother's memorial backpack initiative—struck a particular chord. That year, I helped with the California project, but felt a strong desire to bring this idea closer to home. With the support of my family, friends, and other grieving families, we were able to donate 40 backpacks filled with essentials like hygiene items, snacks, hats, scarves, and more to people experiencing homelessness in Raleigh, North Carolina.
In 2022, we took a big step forward and officially became a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Love Moves Forward (www.LoveMovesForward.org). Our mission is simple yet powerful: to provide opportunities for unconditional love to be expressed, shared, and multiplied. Participation requires no donation; it’s an open invitation for anyone who wishes to honor their loved one’s memory.
Each backpack is labeled with the name of someone who has left us too soon. Many families also share a photo or a heartfelt note for the recipient, telling them about their loved one. I’ve witnessed the profound impact of these letters—on more than one occasion, they’ve brought recipients to tears. If you would like to dedicate a backpack in memory of a loved one, please share your email address here or send me a private message, and I’ll provide the details. This year, we aim to distribute 150 backpacks and various “goodies” at the Orlando United Rescue Mission on December 19th.
Unconditional love doesn’t “move on”—it moves forward. Seeing James’s name attached to something that helps others in the community brings me profound joy, and it would be my honor to include your loved one’s memory in this initiative as well.
No donation is necessary to have a backpack filled in your loved one’s memory. However, if you would like to contribute, you can visit our website, LoveMovesForward.org, or support us through our Amazon Wish List. We can also accept cash donations via PayPal .
With love and gratitude,
Tracie & Mike Loveless
Founders, Love Moves Forward
