Minger Foundation

09/18/2024

Good afternoon friends, yes another year Michael has been gone from our midst. I thank the many family and friends ,who after all these years ,continue to remember Michael and his wonderful short life with us.
"You don't just lose someone once....you lose them everyday for a lifetime....when you awaken, your memory reminds you of the jolting reality." The wonderful thing is when others remember his kindness, his infectious smile, his good manners, his voice, he is awakened in our memories and what a beautiful gift.
Thank you and blessings to you all.

09/18/2023

Today marks 25 years since we lost our Michael at the hands of an arsonist on a college campus. I would like to think campuses are safer today from the years of work done through the Michael Minger Memorial Foundation, the Clery Center, Center for Campus Fire Safety, Common Voices and the Campus Safety Coalition. I want to thank all those who participated in our efforts, but there is still much work to do. Campuses have changed so much since Michael's life was ended at Murray State. I would encourage those who are working tirelessly to end campus crime and campus related injuries and deaths to please continue your noble work.
As I reflect on Michael's life and death, I am still filled with awe and pure joy of having the opportunity to raise such a special child and then seeing God's miracle working in Michael as he became a kind, caring, thoughtful, loving young man. I continue to thank God for his life.

This year, just 8 short weeks ago, God presented us with another miracle, a baby boy born to my daughter, Melissa, Michael's twin sister. It was a glorious day to see this precious baby, Cape Michael George Swanson arrive...we have been waiting for him with open arms and hearts.
We need to prepare the way for this new life and all the other children who may someday head off to college... not aware of the dangers that could befall them. They are our future.
Blessings, Gail

09/18/2022

09/18/2022

Life continues to move forward for us. Over these years without Michael, we have learned to find joy, appreciate our friends and loved ones, but still feel his loss. He was such a light in our lives, a smile, his big heart, and kindness that defined him. A love for him that leaves a profound emptiness.
As Queen Elizabeth II said, " grief is the price we pay for love."

Photo: Michael in Europe just 3 months before his death. He sang in many of the cathedrals in Austria, Germany, and England.

09/19/2021

Another year has pased without our dear Michael. His foundation work continues to improve safety on campuses across our nation. Clemson Life has become a cornerstone of our work and is an amazing program.
We miss and love Michael so much and are honored to continue this important work in his memory.

07/26/2021

Kristo and little Lukas, our special, extended family , visiting a Bitty and Beau's coffee shop. This is a unique establishment run by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It was founded by the Wright family whose two youngest children, Bitty and Beau have Down Syndrome. It is a wonderful and unique experience offering more than just a cup of coffee!

05/03/2021

The Michael Minger Memorial Foundation is happy to congratulate Dalton Cron on his recent graduation from Clemson University Clemson Life Program. Dalton was the recipient of the MHM Foundation Scholarship for 2020-2021.
We are all so proud of him.

11/28/2020

The REST OF DALTON"S STORY
Having such a wonderful spirit and positive attitude defines the quality of Clemson Life students.

CONGRATULATIONS DALTON !!

09/18/2020

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

09/18/2020

Amid the rain from a hurricane, the state of our country, so many lives impacted by a pandemic, we each have learned that no matter what, there is love. Waking this morning I was reminded of all those who remembered this day with our family and sent words of comfort...many so touching...one message from a law enforcement officer saying they would be "carrying my heart in theirs today." Most all of us have been touched by tragedy. The loss of a child stays with you as long as you breathe. We remember Michael today and celebrate his life. This picture shows Michael's very first pair of shoes and his last. He was so happy to have his new bucks to take to college his sophomore year and had worn his new size 13 shoes only a short period of time before his life was taken by the unthinkable act of another.
Today, I hope we will remember others who are having a difficult time and take a moment to share a smile, a hug, a kind word, a meal to uplift that life. Thank you to all those who love Michael and our family and continue to lift us up today.

06/24/2020

A beautiful morning, a glorious day
Everything is fresh and green, a lushness in nature.
A date, a moment in time that is seared in my memory. A morning I was being prepped for
the birth of my twins. A day of such anticipation, excitement, and wonder. Will the babies be ok, who will they look like, two baby boys, two baby girls, a boy and a girl…all a miracle in the making.
So much commotion in the operating room, multiple pediatricians, surgeons, nurses and operating room assistants. A bright light, drifting off and seemingly awake in just minutes. A baby girl born at 9:45 am , a baby boy born at 9:47 am. A month pre-mature, 5lbs 10 oz. and 5 lbs 9 oz, tiny, but healthy. My little girl, strong, alert, bright eyed. My little boy, a minor problem and wisked off to the neonatal ICU for observation. Learning to nurse these tiny beings, these miracles, tender and loving moments, and comical at times. They had to stay at the hospital for a week after their birth and I was sent home without my precious little ones…..I went everyday to feed them and hold them, to stay as long as they would allow me to stay. There was such a profound longing to be there with them, such joy the day they got to come home with me, and oh my goodness, a new reality …. little to no sleep…feeding them every two hours, how could there be sheer exhaustion and joy at the same time? The days grew into months and years filled with laughter, music, tears, T-Ball, ballet, hugs and kisses, more hugs and kisses, then profound loss, many tears, I could hardly breath…..our baby boy, now a young man, a son who was a blessing to so many, taken from us by the careless, evil act of another. He rests in God’s arms now.
In just a few short weeks, we will be filled with unspeakable joy and tears of a different sort as our baby girl, now a beautiful young woman, becomes a bride and starts her own family. Seeing her walk down the isle will most certainly take my breath away. Life and Love abounds in the hopes and dreams of children and if we are so blessed, yet again, to have the privilege and awe of looking into the eyes of another baby boy and baby girl, I will surely share many hugs and kisses… tears will flow, and they too will take my breath away.
Thank you God for the gift of Melissa and Michael.