Our parents, Flora and Gary, met and fell in love in the summer of 1971. We’ll spare you the details of their love story here, but believe us when we say Hollywood couldn’t write a better one. Determined to start their lives together as soon as possible, they married on February 10, 1973, just a few weeks after Mom’s mid-year high school graduation. They raised the six of us children on a shoestring budget at times, but never once did we do without. Our parents sacrificed everything to ensure that we had the happiest childhood possible. We were the good kind of rich—the kind that has nothing to do with money.

Mom and Dad always put us first. They attended every game, recital, and play we ever participated in (and with six children, you can imagine there was a lot to attend!). They stayed up late to help with homework and school projects, even if it was our fault for putting the work off until the last minute. When grandchildren came, they did the same for them.

As they celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, we’d like to give back to them by sending them to Hawaii, a place they've always dreamed of visiting. The six of us, of course, are all pitching in to make this happen. However, as our parents are getting older and their physical abilities make travel difficult, this could be one of the last big trips they are able to take. We want this to be the trip of a lifetime. We want to provide them with the opportunity and funding to do and see everything possible on the Hawaiian islands.

Our parents are very special people. We know they’ve touched the lives of so many people over the years. This is our chance to show them how much they mean to all of us!

Help us make this once-in-a-lifetime trip a possibility. They deserve this opportunity to celebrate their love and commitment to each other. They've given so much to others; it's time for us to come together and give back to them.