Memorial Trees

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Lizzy's Memorial Tree was planted at Christ the King on September 27, 2024.

Ali Tupper Tree

Planted in memory of Ali Fern Tupper on March 30, 2024.

Alice Fern “Ali” Tupper

Born on March 20, 2006, entered Heaven on June 18, 2022.

Joseph Allen Tupper

Born on April 22, 2008, entered Heaven on June 18, 2022.

Joe Tupper Tree

Planted in memory of Joe Tupper on March 30, 2024.

Zack, Steph, and Anna Tupper

On March 30, 2024, the Tupper family celebrated their daughter and sister (Ali) with a garden (Ali's Garden) clean-up party. With the help of volunteers, Heritage nursery, and Omaha Landscaping Company two Memory Trees were planted by The Mia Taylor Foundation for Ali and Joe, who tragically passed away on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in a car accident while traveling home from Worlds of Fun. Please keep Ali and Joe, as well as their parents and sister in your prayers.

Elizabeth "Lizzy" Rose Swoboda

Born on August 12, 2010 - Entered Heaven on March 4, 2022.

Elizabeth "Lizzy" Swoboda's Memorial Tree.

Lizzy's Memorial Tree was planted at Christ the King on September 27, 2024.

Elizabeth "Lizzy" Swoboda's Memorial Tree.

Lizzy's Memorial Tree was planted at Christ the King on September 27, 2024.

Elizabeth "Lizzy" Swoboda's Memorial Tree.

Lizzy's Memorial Tree was planted at Christ the King on September 27, 2024. Blessed with holy water by Father Pietramale.

Elizabeth "Lizzy" Swoboda's Memorial Tree.

Lizzy's Memorial Tree was planted at Christ the King on September 27, 2024. Lizzy's classmates.

Ashley Grace Johanek

Born on December 16, 2003 - Entered Heaven on November 13, 2022.

Ashley Johanek's Memorial Tree was planted at Marian High School on November 4, 2024.

Ashley Johanek's Memorial Tree (October Glory Maple) was planted at Marian High School on November 4, 2024.

Tree of Life Awards
(Christ the King Award Recipients)

The Mia Taylor Scholarship
(Christ the King Award Recipients)

The Mia Taylor Scholarship
(The College of St. Mary (CSM) Award Recipients)

Santa for Seniors

In 2005, when Mia was 5, Mia and her father enjoyed brightening the Christmas holiday season (most holidays) for a local senior in need, by delivering a heartfelt gift and/or meal to them. After the first holiday season, Mia was hooked. She told her father that it made her feel like Santa Claus. This became a yearly holiday tradition they shared together and they turned it into a yearly campaign named "Santa for Seniors". At the time of Mia’s tragedy, she and her father had already begun purchasing and collecting gifts for the 2020 Christmas holiday. Over the years, their "Santa for Seniors" campaign included several local seniors who were living alone, were alone for the holidays, or were experiencing physical, medical, or financial hardships. In some cases, each of these applied to the senior “in need”. As difficult as it has been, Mia’s father has continued on with their tradition of bringing joy and happiness to the elderly.

The Mia Taylor Foundation accepts referrals for those who is aware or might possibly know someone who is elderly and in need, please feel free to contact us with their story and information. Thank you!

Please click on photo for full sized photo and additional information (If applicable).

Mr. Alex

Christmas 2023
Mr. Alex & volunteer Caiden.

Mr. Alex

Christmas 2023
Mr. Alex & volunteer Caiden.

Mr. Alex

Christmas 2023
Mr. Alex & volunteer Caiden.

Mr. Alex

Christmas 2023
Mr. Alex & Shane Taylor on Christmas day. This was the 17th year in a row Alex has been a part of "Santa for Seniors".

"Dig Deep" for Mia

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Digging Deep for Mia! Pikes Peak Ascent – September 21, 2024

The Pikes Peak Ascent is a grueling 13.3 mile race from Manitou Springs, Colorado, to the 14,115 foot summit of Pikes Peak. With a vertical climb of 7,800 feet up the historic Barr Trail, this is NOT your typical half marathon!

Digging Deep for Mia! Pikes Peak Ascent – September 21, 2024

The Pikes Peak Ascent is a grueling 13.3 mile race from Manitou Springs, Colorado, to the 14,115 foot summit of Pikes Peak. With a vertical climb of 7,800 feet up the historic Barr Trail, this is NOT your typical half marathon!

Digging Deep for Mia! Pikes Peak Ascent – September 21, 2024

The Pikes Peak Ascent is a grueling 13.3 mile race from Manitou Springs, Colorado, to the 14,115 foot summit of Pikes Peak. With a vertical climb of 7,800 feet up the historic Barr Trail, this is NOT your typical half marathon!

Traveling with Mia

Since Mia loved traveling, especially to national parks, we created this section for those who have submitted photos of their travels in which they have taken Mia with them, in Spirit.

If you are traveling and would like to share any of your photos that include you taking Mia along with you, in Spirit, we would be extremely grateful. Some of the ways others have done this is by wearing one of our "Mia" wristbands or t-shirts. If you have any other suggestions, please let us know. Either way, we would loved to hear from you and ultimately post your photos. Thank you!

Please click on photo for full sized photo and additional information (If applicable).

Pucon, Chile.

On banks of Trancura River, with view of Villarica volcano, near Pucon, Chile. A special thanks to Melissa!

Pucon, Chile.

On banks of Trancura River, with view of Villarica volcano, near Pucon, Chile. A special thanks to Melissa!

Foothills of the Andes, near Pucon, Chile.

Waterfall in background is the Rio Turbio. Foothills of the Andes, near Pucon, Chile. A special thanks to Melissa!

Cerro Ñielol National Monument near Temuco, Chile.

A tropical tree with Buttress roots in Cerro Ñielol National Monument near Temuco, Chile. It’s a small but really beautiful natural preserve area.

How they work:
• Buttress roots are large, wide roots that spread out from the base of a tree to help stabilize it. They are also known as plank roots.
• Buttress roots spread out horizontally and thicken vertically.
• They can extend from the forest floor to two meters or more up the trunk.
• They help anchor the tree to the ground.
• They stabilize the tree, especially in shallow saturated soils.

Where they are found:
• Buttress roots are common in certain tropical trees of wet lowland environments.
• They are typically found in nutrient-poor tropical forest soils that may not be very deep.

Why they are important:
• Buttress roots prevent the tree from falling over.
• They absorb more nutrients by spreading out across a very wide area and going deep underground.

Examples of trees with buttress roots:
• Heritiera littoralis has huge buttress roots that draw a characteristic shape on the ground.
• Many tropical rain forest trees have buttress roots.

Cerro Ñielol National Monument near Temuco, Chile.

A tropical tree with Buttress roots in Cerro Ñielol National Monument near Temuco, Chile. It’s a small but really beautiful natural preserve area.

How they work:
• Buttress roots are large, wide roots that spread out from the base of a tree to help stabilize it. They are also known as plank roots.
• Buttress roots spread out horizontally and thicken vertically.
• They can extend from the forest floor to two meters or more up the trunk.
• They help anchor the tree to the ground.
• They stabilize the tree, especially in shallow saturated soils.

Where they are found:
• Buttress roots are common in certain tropical trees of wet lowland environments.
• They are typically found in nutrient-poor tropical forest soils that may not be very deep.

Why they are important:
• Buttress roots prevent the tree from falling over.
• They absorb more nutrients by spreading out across a very wide area and going deep underground.

Examples of trees with buttress roots:
• Heritiera littoralis has huge buttress roots that draw a characteristic shape on the ground.
• Many tropical rain forest trees have buttress roots.

Cerro Ñielol National Monument near Temuco, Chile.

A tropical tree with Buttress roots in Cerro Ñielol National Monument near Temuco, Chile. It’s a small but really beautiful natural preserve area.

How they work:
• Buttress roots are large, wide roots that spread out from the base of a tree to help stabilize it. They are also known as plank roots.
• Buttress roots spread out horizontally and thicken vertically.
• They can extend from the forest floor to two meters or more up the trunk.
• They help anchor the tree to the ground.
• They stabilize the tree, especially in shallow saturated soils.

Where they are found:
• Buttress roots are common in certain tropical trees of wet lowland environments.
• They are typically found in nutrient-poor tropical forest soils that may not be very deep.

Why they are important:
• Buttress roots prevent the tree from falling over.
• They absorb more nutrients by spreading out across a very wide area and going deep underground.

Examples of trees with buttress roots:
• Heritiera littoralis has huge buttress roots that draw a characteristic shape on the ground.
• Many tropical rain forest trees have buttress roots.

A special thanks to Melissa!

Cerro Ñielol National Monument near Temuco, Chile.

A tropical tree with Buttress roots in Cerro Ñielol National Monument near Temuco, Chile. It’s a small but really beautiful natural preserve area.

How they work:
• Buttress roots are large, wide roots that spread out from the base of a tree to help stabilize it. They are also known as plank roots.
• Buttress roots spread out horizontally and thicken vertically.
• They can extend from the forest floor to two meters or more up the trunk.
• They help anchor the tree to the ground.
• They stabilize the tree, especially in shallow saturated soils.

Where they are found:
• Buttress roots are common in certain tropical trees of wet lowland environments.
• They are typically found in nutrient-poor tropical forest soils that may not be very deep.

Why they are important:
• Buttress roots prevent the tree from falling over.
• They absorb more nutrients by spreading out across a very wide area and going deep underground.

Examples of trees with buttress roots:
• Heritiera littoralis has huge buttress roots that draw a characteristic shape on the ground.
• Many tropical rain forest trees have buttress roots.

KKAD-25
(Keep Kids Alive Drive - 25)
www.keepkidsalivedrive25.org

"When we reach out to bring goodness into the world in honor of a loved one who has died, we proclaim that love is stronger than death."
- Thomas J. Everson
Founder of KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25®

The mission of KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25® is to make streets safer for all who walk, cycle, play, drive, and ride, while supporting families whose loved ones who have passed away due to a traffic incident. Their goal is to put an end to deaths and injuries caused by all manner of unsafe driving behaviors.

KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25® and Live Forward!™ host a number of fundraising events to support families who've recently lost a loved one to a traffic-related incident. They are all about bringing good into the world by creating living legacies in memory of each loved-one lost.

Live Forward!® & Run to Remember
(Pikes Peak, Colorado)

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Pikes Peak Ascent - Sept. 16, 2023.

"Dig Deep" for Mia!

KKAD25 - 16th Annual Live Forward!® & Run to Remember - Pikes Peak, Colorado.

Pikes Peak Ascent - Sept. 16, 2023. Longtime friend Connie Garro running the Pikes Peak Ascent for Mia.

KKAD25 - 16th Annual Live Forward!® & Run to Remember - Pikes Peak, Colorado.

Pikes Peak Ascent - Sept. 16, 2023. Longtime friend Connie Garro running the Pikes Peak Ascent for Mia.

"Dig Deep" for Mia!

KKAD25 - 16th Annual Live Forward!® & Run to Remember - Pikes Peak, Colorado.

Pikes Peak Ascent - Sept. 16, 2023. Connie and Kent - Representing Team Mia.

"Dig Deep" for Mia!

KKAD25 - 16th Annual Live Forward!® & Run to Remember - Pikes Peak, Colorado.

Pikes Peak Ascent - Sept. 16, 2023. Family friend Sean Everson (local Omaha weatherman) running the Pikes Peak Ascent for Mia.

"Dig Deep" for Mia!

KKAD25 - 16th Annual Live Forward!® & Run to Remember - Pikes Peak, Colorado.

Pikes Peak Ascent - Sept. 16, 2023. Family friend Sean Everson (local Omaha weatherman) running the Pikes Peak Ascent for Mia.

"Dig Deep" for Mia!

KKAD25 - 16th Annual Live Forward!® & Run to Remember - Pikes Peak, Colorado.

M.A.T. "chilling" at the top of Pikes Peak in his custom made "Dig Deep" for Mia hoodie.

"Dig Deep" for Mia!

KKAD25 - 16th Annual Live Forward!® & Run to Remember - Pikes Peak, Colorado.

M.A.T. at the post race party... This is him telling Shane that he has had enough and is ready for bed.

"Dig Deep" for Mia!

KKAD25 - 16th Annual Live Forward!® & Run to Remember - Pikes Peak, Colorado.

Pikes Peak Ascent - Sept. 21, 2024.

"Dig Deep" for Mia!

KKAD25 - 17th Annual Live Forward!® & Run to Remember - Pikes Peak, Colorado.

Pikes Peak Ascent - Sept. 21, 2024.

"Dig Deep" for Mia!

KKAD25 - 17th Annual Live Forward!® & Run to Remember - Pikes Peak, Colorado.

Pikes Peak Ascent - Sept. 21, 2024.

"Dig Deep" for Mia!

KKAD25 - 17th Annual Live Forward!® & Run to Remember - Pikes Peak, Colorado.

Pikes Peak Ascent - Sept. 21, 2024.

"Dig Deep" for Mia!

KKAD25 - 17th Annual Live Forward!® & Run to Remember - Pikes Peak, Colorado.

The Wonderful World of Trees

If you would like to share photos (accompanied by a caption and related information) of beautiful, unique, special, or interesting tree(s) found throughout the world, please do. We would love to see them and share with others so we can see and all learn more about the wonderful world of trees. Thank you!

Please click on photo for full sized photo and additional information (If applicable).

This May Be the Oldest Olive Tree in the World

Olive tree from Northern Lebanon, located in the village of Bshaaleh. Most of the olive trees here are believed to be between 500-1,100 years old. They are also referred to as "Noah trees" because some people believe that these trees are the source of the olive branch carried by the dove back to Noah's ark.

Angel Oak Tree Charleston, SC

The Angel Oak Tree is estimated to be in excess of 400-500 years old, stands 66.5 ft (20 m) tall, measures 28 ft (8.5 m) in circumference, and produces shade that covers 17,200 square feet (1,600 m2). From tip to tip Its longest branch distance is 187 ft.

There is considerable debate about the age of this majestic tree. Some contend that it is 1,500 years old. Most believe that the more conservative estimates are more accurate. Most experts agree that the tree is probably between 400-500 years old.

Un-BEE-Lievable

Welcome to the Hive!

Bees are essential pollinators that play a critical role in our ecosystem and food system. Honey bees are responsible for pollinating many crops that provide us with food, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.

"If the bee disappears from the surface of the earth, man would have no more than four years to live."
- Albert Einstein

The truth is, if honeybees did disappear for good, humans would probably not go extinct (at least not solely for that reason). But our diets would still suffer tremendously. The variety of foods available would diminish, and the cost of certain products would surge.

Monarch Butterflies

The Monarch Butterfly is now ENDANGERED AND NEARING EXTINCTION!!!!

Under Construction

Fitness for Mia

Under construction

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"Mia"
License Plate Collection

If you encounter a license plate with "Mia" on it, please feel free to share it with us. For those of you who have volunteered to put a "Mia" license plate on your vehicle, we are extremely grateful. If anyone is interested or willing to put a "Mia" license plate on their vehicle, please contact us. Our goal is to ultimately obtain at least one from all 50 states. Thank you!

Please click on photo for full sized photo and additional information (If applicable).

Miscellaneous

Northern Lights - View from Omaha, Nebraska on October 6, 2024.

Mia's #1 wish was to go to Iceland with her father to see the Northern Lights and travel throughout the countryside. They were scheduled to go in January (2021), as her father had surprised her with a trip. Unfortunately, the trip of a lifetime never came to be, as Mia’s tragic passing occurred just two months prior on November 18, 2020.

Northern Lights - View from Omaha, Nebraska on October 6, 2024.

Mia's #1 wish was to go to Iceland with her father to see the Northern Lights and travel throughout the countryside. They were scheduled to go in January (2021), as her father had surprised her with a trip. Unfortunately, the trip of a lifetime never came to be, as Mia’s tragic passing occurred just two months prior on November 18, 2020.

Northern Lights - View from Omaha, Nebraska on October 6, 2024.

Mia's #1 wish was to go to Iceland with her father to see the Northern Lights and travel throughout the countryside. They were scheduled to go in January (2021), as her father had surprised her with a trip. Unfortunately, the trip of a lifetime never came to be, as Mia’s tragic passing occurred just two months prior on November 18, 2020.

Northern Lights - View from Omaha, Nebraska on October 6, 2024.

Mia's #1 wish was to go to Iceland with her father to see the Northern Lights and travel throughout the countryside. They were scheduled to go in January (2021), as her father had surprised her with a trip. Unfortunately, the trip of a lifetime never came to be, as Mia’s tragic passing occurred just two months prior on November 18, 2020.

Memorial Trees

Please click on photo for full sized photo and additional information (If applicable).

Tree of Life Awards (Christ the King Award Recipients)

The Mia Taylor Scholarship (Christ the King Award Recipients)

The Mia Taylor Scholarship (The College of St. Mary (CSM) Award Recipients)

Santa for Seniors

Please click on photo for full sized photo and additional information (If applicable).

"Dig Deep" for Mia

Please click on photo for full sized photo and additional information (If applicable).

Traveling with Mia

Please click on photo for full sized photo and additional information (If applicable).

KKAD-25 (Keep Kids Alive Drive - 25) www.keepkidsalivedrive25.org

"When we reach out to bring goodness into the world in honor of a loved one who has died, we proclaim that love is stronger than death." - Thomas J. Everson Founder of KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25®

Live Forward!® & Run to Remember (Pikes Peak, Colorado)

Please click on photo for full sized photo and additional information (If applicable).

The Wonderful World of Trees

Please click on photo for full sized photo and additional information (If applicable).

Un-BEE-Lievable

Monarch Butterflies

The Monarch Butterfly is now ENDANGERED AND NEARING EXTINCTION!!!!

Under Construction

Fitness for Mia

Under construction

"Mia" License Plate Collection

Please click on photo for full sized photo and additional information (If applicable).

Miscellaneous

Tree of Life Awards
(Christ the King Award Recipients)

The Mia Taylor Scholarship
(Christ the King Award Recipients)

The Mia Taylor Scholarship
(The College of St. Mary (CSM) Award Recipients)

KKAD-25
(Keep Kids Alive Drive - 25)
www.keepkidsalivedrive25.org

"When we reach out to bring goodness into the world in honor of a loved one who has died, we proclaim that love is stronger than death."
- Thomas J. Everson
Founder of KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25®

Live Forward!® & Run to Remember
(Pikes Peak, Colorado)

"Mia"
License Plate Collection