Rayelle Say

Rayelle means “her shining light,” and she truly reflects that name by filling our lives with joy. At 9 months old, she is still very small—less than 15 pounds—but she is healthy, strong, and active. She babbles in her sweet baby language, smiles at everyone she sees, and has the brightest, happiest spirit. Tiny as she is, Rayelle is already a little explorer, curious about everything around her.

Rayelle’s favorite thing right now is tasting new foods! She doesn’t drink much milk—only about 4 ounces every two to three hours—but she loves solids. Even without teeth, she happily chews with her gums and surprises us every day. Rayelle also loves being outdoors. She went camping for the first time at Mt. Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest and stayed cozy in the tent all night. We even hiked up to Winchester Mountain Lookout with her, and it was clear she enjoyed every moment of the adventure.

We are a family of four. Rayelle’s brother, Royce, is six years old. We share a home with extended family—twelve people total—and because space is limited, the kids co-sleep with us. Our dream is to save for a down payment on a home and continue building their 529 college funds. Winning $25,000 would bring us closer to owning a home, securing their education, and creating an emergency fund for our family’s future.