Dear Brave Family,
Somehow January of 2026 is already in our rearview mirror, and I can’t help but look back with deep gratitude for all we’ve done together. Then I look ahead and get excited all over again.
Over the past few months, Brave Like Me has been moving at a speed that would make the tailpipes on our Brave Pets truck proud (at 8 MPG!). We closed out 2025 with several powerful visits to Manning Family Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. We started 2026 by onboarding Connecticut Children’s Hospital in Hartford. And just last week, we officially launched at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. More hospitals are already in the pipeline for the spring, and I’ll be honest, it feels like we’re just getting warmed up.
None of this would be possible without you! Not one hospital visit, not one dog snuggle, not one moment of brave joy. You’ve helped us build something special. Something personal. Something that feels more like a movement than a nonprofit.
Here’s a peek at what’s next:
On February 28, we’re gathering volunteers at Kemba Credit Union in West Chester to prepare and ship thousands of books to Ronald McDonald Houses across the country including Alaska and Hawaii. This is part of our biggest push yet for Brayden’s Books, and it’s happening just in time for Brave Month this March. The goal is to get these joy-filled, courage-packed books into the hands of families who need them most.
We're also growing in big ways behind the scenes. This past fall, Nikki Ravenscraft joined our team as Mission Support Coordinator, and just this January, we added Prateeksha Alsi as our Director of Programs. These two are already helping scale our three pillars: Brave Pets, Brayden’s Books, and Brave Friends Adventures. I can already tell that 2026 is going to be a ball of fun!
And speaking of… this month, we’re launching something really special. It’s a children’s book called Finnegan the Football, and I had the honor of co-writing it with Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals. Finnegan is shaped a little differently than the other sports balls. He bounces weirdly. He rolls funny. He’s an odd ball in the literal sense. But spoiler alert, he ends up being the hero of the story. I know a lot of kids (and a few adults) who can relate to that. We think Finnegan is going to make a lot of Brave Kids feel a little more seen and a whole lot more loved.
Finnegan will be available for purchase at several places including Barnes & Noble, several local bookstores in your city and directly through Brave Like Me. Stay tuned to our socials to hear about teasers and announcements for Finnegan and tell your friends and family about him. Every book (no matter where it’s purchased for pre-order or on March 10th when it’s released) will support our mission both financially and by bringing joy and courage to the reader.
But for now, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for believing in this work. Thank you for showing up. Thank you for making 2025 unforgettable and helping us step into 2026 with full hearts and open hands. There’s a long road ahead. But because of you, we’re not walking it alone.
Onward with Bravery!
John
