Share Your HLC Story

At Hope Loves Company, we believe hope is healing. Whether you are a child, teen, young adult, parent, or alumni, sharing your story and your voice helps us shine a light on what it means to love or have lost someone with ALS.

By sharing your words, photos, art, or videos, you help others understand this journey, bring hope to families who may feel alone, and inspire supporters to keep programs like Camp HLC, Beyond the Bunk, and Hugs of Hope available for kids across the country.

Who Can Share

Youth & Young Adults (ages 6–24): Share about your recent experiences with ALS, your memories from Camp HLC, and/or what gives you hope. We especially want to hear directly from HLC kids.
HLC Alumni: We welcome the voices of young adults who attended camp or participated in our programs and want to share reflections.
Parents & Families: Your perspective matters, too! Tell us how your child benefited from Camp HLC, Beyond the Bunk, or receiving a Hugs of Hope package.

Consent & Media Release

Because we care about your safety and privacy, all submissions require a signed consent form:

By signing, you acknowledge that:

Your story, art, photos, or videos may appear in Hope Loves Company communications, including fundraising campaigns.
Media may be edited for length or clarity, but your words and images will never be misrepresented.
Guardian acknowledgment is required for minors.

Ways to Share

You can submit:

Written stories (short or long).
Artwork (JPEG, PNG, PDF, or clear photos/scans of drawings, paintings, or collages).
Photos (high-resolution, not compressed; avoid thumbnails).
Videos (record on your phone in a quiet, well-lit space, vertical orientation preferred).

Safety note: Please avoid showing house numbers, last names, or street signs in photos or videos.

Story Prompts

Need inspiration? Start with one of these...

“One thing I wish people understood about ALS is…” “Something that helps me feel hopeful is…” “My favorite memory from Camp HLC is…” “One way my friends or family support me is…” “I want people to know that kids like me can…” “One way people can help kids like me is…” “Something my loved one taught me that I’ll never forget is…” “One person who has made a big difference for me is…” “When I feel sad, one thing that helps is…” “One of the most fun things I’ve done at Camp HLC is…” “At Camp HLC, I learned that…” “One thing I’d tell a kid who is coming to Camp HLC for the first time is…” “A new friend I met at camp taught me…” “Camp HLC makes me feel…” “I feel proud of myself when…” “One goal or dream I have is…” “Something that inspires me is…” “When I need courage, I think about…” “I wish more people knew that kids like me…” “One way the world could be more supportive of families like mine is…” “A message I want to share with people who don’t know about ALS is…” “If I could tell everyone one thing about my loved one, it would be…” “Something I’ve learned about myself on this journey is…” “One way I remember my loved one during the holidays is…” “Something I hope for this holiday season is…” “Something I wish people understood about grief is…” “One way I keep my loved one’s memory alive is…”

For Art Submissions, please submit a statement to go with your work, for example:

“This drawing shows…”
“I made this because…”
“This reminds me of…”

Video Tips

Record in a quiet, well-lit space.
Keep the camera at eye level.
Speak slowly and clearly—there’s no rush.
Natural expressions are perfect—don’t worry about being polished.
End with an optional thank you: “Thank you for supporting kids like me.”

How to Submit

Complete the appropriate consent form (guardian or adult).
Rename all of your files so that they contain your name.
Upload your files using our secure submission portal. Be sure to include the filled out submission and consent form (linked above).

Submit Your Files Below:

(Don't forget to include your signed minor or adult submission form!)

Want to interview/share with us directly?

If you would rather set up a video interview instead of recording and submitting your story, you can do that too! Reach out to us at info@hopelovescompany.org and we would be happy to set up a time to have a video call.

Your voice gives hope. It helps other young caregivers and families see they are not alone. It inspires donors and supporters to keep Camp HLC, Beyond the Bunk, and Hugs of Hope going strong. And it creates a powerful community where love and resilience shine through.

Thank you for being brave and generous in sharing your story with us.