What's in a Name?
Kelsey Nicole Stromberg (MAMA)
11/28/1990 – 03/23/2024
The initiative of the kindness bags most importantly are to honor the memories of Kelsey Nicole Stromberg and Johnathon VenHousen who lived their lives with profound kindness and compassion. Jakob and Mikah, the young boys of Kelsey known to them only as “mama” had the drive and passion to honor their mom in such an incredible way by striving to encourage all those around them to actively share kindness.
The love and kindness their mama showed to others was unmistakable to those lucky enough to truly know her. The week before her death struggling with her own depression, she saw a post where a homeless couple needed some toiletries and other essential items. Kelsey who lived paycheck to paycheck didn’t hesitate in gathering all of her items around the house she could spare. . She rallied her network and gathered even more items and delivered them that night to a park downtown. This was just how she lived her life anytime she could.
Kelsey was also extremely active in dozens of online support groups spending countless hours supporting those in need and those struggling with depression and mental health issues available 24 hours a day seven days a week anytime anybody needed an ear or encouragement. She also had her own TikTok site with almost 2,000,000 likes and comments where she connected on a personal level to thousands of people around the world struggling with depression. She was a hero to so many but none more than her babies.
Kelsey struggled with depression and was often misunderstood. In her toughest days and hours she could support others without hesitation and small acts of kindness changed her demeanor for days, inspiring the commitment to spread kindness. Her boys being a part of her kindness throughout their lives and also witnesses their mom’s struggles decided they would make a difference in her honor.
Johnathon Tyler VenHousen
Born 1993
Johnathon better knows as JT or Daddy illumined a room as he entered. His kindness and sweetness were not just his traits they were the fabric of his being. JT would do anything for a friend or stranger as his warmth and kindness extended beyond his family and friends. So….. the name – 9093!
Let me take you back a little further. In a gym 16 years ago two moms met by chance and discovered a friendship through the years that will ultimately be one of the strongest bonds of their lives. A friendship that over the years grew into family, that became such a support system and connection that it was set up to save them both.
Through the years Christie and Crystal’s families became joined at every important moment, graduations, birthdays, celebrations, holidays and everything in between. The inseparable duo and their spouses had a connection that everyone hopes to find in life. As their kids grew up together and grandkids were now in the picture and many times they refer to us as sisters because everyone appears to be family and the bonds continued to grow and expand to our kids and our kids’ kids.
Then the day the rainbows seemed to touch heaven, seemed to be brighter and somehow the brightness seemed to illuminate each and every color – October 11th, 2023 and then unknowingly March 23rd 2024 just 5 months and 13 days later, the inseparable two each lost their oldest child. Combing their birth years 9093 – a plan started to evolve.
Though they may no longer be with us on “this side of heaven” the kindness they spread will resonate in our hearts forever. We will carry their loving spirit as we strive to honor their memory through acts of kindness with the kids lighting the path.
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If you want to support your local community with 9093 kindness bags
Let us know and we will work to supply you the bags that you can fill with support items for those in need in your area.
We will add encouragement cards and bible verses to each bag!
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If you're feeling overwhelmed, lost, or struggling, you're not alone. We know this because almost 2 million people engaged with Kelsey as she committed her heart to supporting so many people. In continuing this legacy of support if you need a letter of encouragement mailed to you please let us know as her boys and their network of “kids” wish to honor their Mom by spreading their kind words and being committed to bringing a smile to as many people around the world as they can. Kids can carry this movement forward and make a difference.
Simply send a letter request to our email and each and every request will be responded with a hand written letter for you to be reminded that you matter! That you have people cheering for you! Reaching out for support can be the first step toward healing. Whether you're seeking kind words or a Kindness Bag please reach out so we can be your reason to smile today. You Matter! We are cheering for you on this side of heaven.