BLUFFTON, S.C. (WSAV) — One Bluffton family's world was shattered after their young son was tragically killed while riding his bike, but in the wake of the heartbreak, one church has taken on a mission to help pick up the pieces through a special celebration of life.
“You can't be family, can't consider your family if you're not willing to be there through it all,” Lead Pastor Shaun Olsen of Venture Church said. “So, while it's not what we would call fun, it is an honor to be with people in the deepest emotions that they have.”
Just last Saturday, the Meissner family suffered an unimaginable loss. Their 10-year-old son, Adam, was struck and killed by a truck while riding his bike in their neighborhood.
News of the tragedy quickly spread throughout the Bluffton community and reached Shaun Olsen, the lead pastor of Venture Church. Adam’s family has been part of the church for several years.
Olsen shared that as soon as he and his wife heard about the accident, they immediately dropped everything they were doing.
“We immediately got in the car, went to the scene, and just spent some time for the rest of the evening with the family and the friends that were there.”
After supporting the family through the immediate shock and grief of the loss, Olsen and the church wanted to do even more. They met with Adam’s parents to discuss the best way to honor their son's life and together, they came up with an idea that felt true to Adam’s spirit; a party-like celebration.
“They both unanimously said like, ‘we want the kids to enjoy the things that Adam enjoyed,’" Olsen said. "And immediately, like all ten-year-olds, Prime and Takis became the top of it. Fortnite was obviously mentioned, and then it was like, let’s just rent the park out, let the community be involved and throw a party. Because kids do enjoy parties.”
The event will bring people together in both sorrow and joy. There will be moments of sadness, but also plenty of smiles on children’s faces as they celebrate Adam's life.
Olsen said he is thankful for the outpouring of support from the community, which continues to show up for the family in their time of need.
“When people are hurting in Bluffton, we just rally together, and this is another glaring example of that. So, this can be a great day for families, a great day for the kids, and really a great day to honor a young man that was really important to this community.”
Stephanie Meissner, Adams’ mother, shared some of the things her son loved most.
“He loved painting, drawing, doing puzzles with his Grammie, playing video games with his brother and cousin, and he absolutely loved animals. We called him the animal whisperer.”
His mother shared some photos of Adam through the years. You can view them below.
- Photos from Adams mom, Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
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- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
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- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
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- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
- Stephanie Meissner
Olsen encouraged folks that are attending to bring more than just food. In addition to the popular snacks of Prime Energy drinks and Takis, attendees are asked to bring a grief card, with a personal story or memory of Adam.
The celebration takes place from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 at Oscar Frazier Park.
