{"id":401288,"date":"2026-08-08T17:12:12","date_gmt":"2026-08-08T17:12:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/401288\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T17:12:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T17:12:12","slug":"lifegift-hosts-2nd-annual-hopefest-a-celebration-of-life-love-and-community-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/401288\/","title":{"rendered":"LifeGift hosts 2nd annual HopeFest, a celebration of life, love, and community"},"content":{"rendered":"

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – LifeGift invites the West Texas community to its 2nd Annual HopeFest<\/a>, a family-friendly and free event taking place on Saturday, August 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Texas Tech University Recreational Softball Fields.<\/p>\n

HopeFest<\/a> is a day dedicated to honoring organ, eye and tissue donors across 109 Texas counties while celebrating the gift of life and raising awareness about the importance of donor registration<\/a>. Enjoy delicious food, explore local vendors and participate in activities for all ages that celebrate the gift of life. The first 500 attendees will receive a HopeFest 2026 T-shirt at no cost. Attendees can also enter a free raffle for a chance to win an autographed football generously donated by Coca-Cola and signed by Joey McGuire.<\/p>\n

This vibrant community event will feature:<\/p>\n

A Softball Showdown between\u00a0Covenant Health<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0University Medical Center<\/a>\u00a0and four other teams, with awards for Best Team Name, Best Uniform and of course the Championship TrophyThe Honor Path, a touching tribute created by donor families in honor of their loved onesFamily Fun, including a HopeSpot selfie station, face painting, crafts and music featuring\u00a0DJ with TJ<\/a>Covenant Children\u2019s Kite Flight medical helicopter and transport team<\/a>\u00a0will be landing on-site, giving attendees a chance to explore their high-tech gearFamilies can explore a\u00a0Lubbock Police Department patrol unit<\/a>\u00a0and a\u00a0Lubbock Fire Department fire engine<\/a>\u00a0up close while meeting the dedicated first responders.Complimentary lunch including ballpark favorites: burgers, hot dogs, walking tacos and Frito pies, along with\u00a0Bahama Buck\u2019s sweet ice treats<\/a><\/p>\n

HopeFest is generously sponsored by Optimum<\/a>, Global Transplant Solutions<\/a>, LifeNet Health<\/a>, University Medical Center<\/a>, Sallop Insurance<\/a>, Coca-Cola<\/a>, H-E-B<\/a>, DJ with TJ<\/a>, South Plains Kidney Foundation<\/a>, Lubbock Ambulance<\/a> and Woodstock Enterprises<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cLifeGift\u2019s HopeFest offers hope for the men, women and children waiting for life-saving organ, eye and tissue transplants in West Texas,\u201d says Kevin Myer, LifeGift President and CEO. \u201cThe overwhelming support for this 2nd annual event shows how deeply our community cares about raising awareness and saving lives through donation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget to follow and join the conversation on Facebook<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>, where we\u2019ll be honoring donors, recipients and their families, and sharing important information about donor registration.<\/p>\n

Event Details:<\/p>\n

What:\u00a0LifeGift\u2019s 2nd Annual HopeFestWho:\u00a0Open to all \u2014 transplant recipients, donor families, healthcare professionals, donation advocates and the entire communityWhen:\u00a0Saturday, August 8, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Where:\u00a0Texas Tech University Recreational Softball Fields, 10th Street & Texas Tech Parkway, Lubbock, TX 79409 \u2013\u00a0Map Link<\/a>More Information:\u00a0LifeGift HopeFest Website<\/a>Registration:\u00a0Event Sign Up<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cOur second annual event brings together many donor families to celebrate their loved ones and spread awareness of our mission of offering hope,\u201d says LifeGift\u2019s Barbara VerWey, community engagement specialist. \u201cMost community members don\u2019t think about the importance of donation until a loved one needs a transplant. Many times, we don\u2019t realize how important it is for our loved ones to be donor heroes for others.\u201d<\/p>\n

More than 11,000 Texans are waiting for life-saving transplants. Register to become an organ, eye or tissue donor today at DonateLifeTexas.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

LifeGift<\/a> is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) health services organization. As the organ procurement organization (OPO) for North, Southeast and West Texas, we partner with more than 275 hospitals and 10 transplant centers across 109 counties to save and heal lives. LifeGift is a founding member of Donate Life Texas, the organization that manages the organ, eye and tissue donor registry. Please visit www.LifeGift.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Copyright 2026 KCBD. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n