Dear friends,

Six years ago, my life changed forever. My husband, Chris, was murdered in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre.

One of the first voices I heard in the mornings was Chris, and when I saw him on what I thought would be just another workday – I could never imagine that would be the last time I would hear it.

The first thing I did when I heard what was happening at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School was to call him. I frantically tried to reach him, but there was no answer – so I raced to the school as fast as I could.

When I got there, my world shattered.

In the aftermath of this unbearable loss, I helped to create Stand with Parkland – The National Association of Families for Safe Schools, determined to prevent other families from experiencing such heartbreak.

Over the past six years, we have dedicated ourselves to addressing the complex issue of school violence. Our approach is uniquely inclusive, non-partisan, and comprehensive – and it’s worked for us, and your family too.

This year, we have supported the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, advocated for the Florida School Safety Act, partnered with the Secret Service’s National Threat Assessment Center, and established the Stand With Parkland Grant Programs.

I've dedicated my life to protecting children and educators from firearm violence in Chris’s honor. And I invite you to help commemorate the six-year anniversary of Stand with Parkland by supporting our mission in his honor, and the other stolen lives of that horrible day.

STAND WITH PARKLAND →

I will never be able to hear his voice again, but I am doing everything I can to make him proud of us. Thank you for helping me honor him by fighting for safer schools.

– Debbi Hixon