Welcome to our press kit. Below is a collection of promotional materials, like text and visuals, or links, that provide key information about our foundation, our programs, or events, designed to be a one stop location to make it easy for the media to write about the Kathryn Leigh Thurgaland Foundation.
Brief Bio - The Kathryn Leigh Thurgaland Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was founded July 13, 2021 by her immediate family; her mother Jodell, her father Todd, her two brothers Ryan and Avery and her sister, Elizabeth.
Mission - It is the mission of the Kathryn Leigh Thurgaland foundation to meet the initial needs of families who have lost a child along with carrying Kathryn's legacy forward to future generations by celebrating life with the Love of Life Festival, and by helping students pursue their educational goals through memorial scholarships.
Images - These are images we use when describing or promoting our programs and events.
Links - Here's where you find more detailed information.
www.kltfoundation.com/whoisklt
www.kltfoundation.com/resources
www.kltfoundation.com/programs
www.kltfoundation.com/scholarships
www.kltfoundation.com/griefweek
www.facebook.com/kltfoundation
www.linkedin.com/company/kathryn-leigh-thurgaland-foundation
www.kltfoundation.com/lolfestival www.facebook.com/loveoflifefest
YouTube Videos -
KLT Foundation Siblings Radio Interview 2/6/22
Love of Life Festival May 7, 2022
2022 KLT Love of Life Festival
Love of Life Festival May 6, 2023
Date Announcement for the 3rd Annual Love of Life Festival
Love of Life Festival promo for May 11, 2024
Love of Life Festival May 11, 2024 promo 2
2025 Love of Life Festival promo
Our Programs -
Grief Week - Losing a child is the most devastating event that can happen to a family. The level of grief is so intense that it stops everything, initiating a complete paralysis of normal daily thoughts and actions. The routine of life and living is disrupted so dramatically that there are no words to describe it. It affects the immediate family physically, emotionally, neurologically, mentally, spiritually, and psychologically in unimaginable ways. It’s an unfortunate exclusive club that you are involuntarily inducted into, and only the members truly know the level of pain they share and must endure. It is during this time of crippling grief that family and community support is so important. We know we can't take away the pain, but we can offer support and take away some of the stress by taking care of some of the everyday things like food and supplies needed for you and your family, and those close to you who are able to visit and be there for you. Thanks to our contributors we are able to provide: home supplies such as toiletries, kitchen pantry items, paper goods, etc; have meals delived for a week, coordinating with the family's poing of contact and volunteers; resouces and community support.
The Kathryn Leigh Thurgaland Foundation guidelines to initiate our Grief Week response for a family is directly related to our experience and our story. It’s what inspired us to create the KLT Foundation, to help parents and siblings who have lost a child. Each situation is different, special, unique, and truly impactful to us. We try to help in the best ways we can whenever we are made aware of a life taken too soon.
Our program focuses mainly on the loss of a child; someone 18 or younger.
We also recognize that a “child” is not always easily defined by age. The KLT Foundation considers a variety of factors when informed about the death of a young one, who is older than 18 and offers different services on a case by case basis.
Losing a loved one and having to adapt to living with grief is a lifelong journey. We deeply sympathize and relate to anyone who is grieving a death in the family, as much as we wish to, our humble foundation does not have the financial means and volume of volunteers needed to help everyone at the same level, with our “grief week response”.
At the very least, however, we provide resources in hopes of helping families cope with the loss of a family member and navigate through the initial shock and lifelong grief. These resources are provided through our resource page. Here you will find things that we personally have found helpful…anecdotes, advice, counsel, inspirational items, and books; and we hope that they also help you through your grief journey. Realize that you are not alone. There are other grieving families just like yours, and we believe that your lost loved one is not completely gone, but rather still with you, watching over you.
Do you personally know someone who needs our help? Let us know.
Email us at Contact@KLTFoundation.com, or fill out the form on our contact page. Please provide as much detail as you can; who passed away, who are the family members, are there any applicable details about the situation you think would help us understand what is needed, etc.
​​Scholarships - We offer scholarships to high school graduates leading inspired lives. What is meant by leading an inspired life? To live an inspiring life means that you are living life to the fullest. It also means that you are living a meaningful life that is based on your passion and your life's true calling. By doing so, you can feel the happiness most people are just dreaming to have. Everyone who kew Kayleigh knew that she lived an inspired life!
While we grow and learn more regarding the regulations concerning scholarship programs, our foundation will be awarding graduates of The Villages Charter School by being a part of the Buffalo Scholarship Foundation.
The KLT foundation believes strongly in continuing to honor Kathryn’s
amazing love of life by recognizing her values of human expression through art, music, dancing,
and the performing arts. Kathy was on a continuous path of self discovery, exploring her
passions, trying new things, honestly evaluating her skills and values, and not afraid to ask the
hard questions. She is described as being a steadfast leader, taking every opportunity to dance
and have fun without hesitation, and without worrying what others thought.
Our mission is to continue Kayleigh’s legacy and spread her light through scholarships to
graduating seniors as they venture into the world as adults off to college. Candidates are
carefully selected through an application process. We hope this scholarship inspires the
awardees to put passion and conviction into the pursuit of their dreams.
We award a four year scholarship to a new graduating student each year, starting at $2,500 for the first year, with an additional $500 for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th academic year, giving each awardee the opportunity to receive up to
$13,000 in scholarship funds.​
Love of Life Festival - The 4rth annual Love of Life Festival is Saturday, February 15, 2025 from 12 pm – 9 pm, Under the majestic mossy oaks at The Villages Polo Club 700 Buena Vista Blvd, The Villages, FL 32162​, featuring art, food, raffles, a corn hole tournament, bounces houses, face painting, and live music! The bands performing at this upcoming event include: Ryan Thurgaland, Celtic Conundrum, Double Time, Humans in Disguise, Uncle Bob's Rock Shop, Gypsy Sparrow, Macey Mac & Randy Ryals, and Noah Hunton. Learn all about these special musicians, along with the talented artists selling their works of art, and other details about the festival by checking out our facebook page, www.facebook.com/loveoflifefest.
The Love of Life Festival is A music & arts festival providing a platform for artists and musicians to show off their talents, and skills, and a place to honor loved ones' legacy by celebrating their life, cherishing their memories, and keeping their spirit alive. All proceeds benefit the programs offered by the KLT Foundation.
The intentions of the Kathryn Leigh Thurgaland Foundation are not only to support, and sponsor, but to live in a free spirited way that Kayleigh lived; through music, art, and dance. ​If you didn’t know Kathryn, this is our opportunity to introduce her to you. If you knew her then this is our chance to re-introduce you. The most interactive way we can do that is with our KLT LOL festival. We started the foundation as a means of remembering Kathryn and introducing Kathryn to other people; to show people who Kathryn was and how she lived. We started the foundation to help lift people's spirits.
This outdoor music and arts festival offers a mix of local talented artists and musical acts, creating a vibrant atmosphere for all ages to enjoy. Indulge in delicious fare from various food trucks and refreshments available for purchase, all while admiring beautiful works of art, and soaking in the sounds of live music. Bring your own seating and get ready to groove the day away at this exciting event!​
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