Creating Childhood Joy
A 501(c)(3) NonProfit Children's Charity dedicated to raising awareness and resources for children in need throughout Orange County, CA, and beyond.
ln Honor of Hendrix Kunze
Hendrix, Rose and Jeff Kunze’s little boy, was born on July 12, 2016. Doctors determined early during Rose’s pregnancy that Hendrix wasn’t developing as expected. Soon after his birth, Hendrix was admitted to CHOC’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) due to genetic challenges.
Though Hendrix faced many health obstacles, it was clear that he was a fighter from the beginning. However, some fights became too much, and sadly Hendrix passed away shortly after his first birthday from organ failure that resulted after infantile spasms. After his passing, doctors determined he had a very rare genetic disorder called OTUD5.
Creating A Legacy
Rose & Jeff Kunze and Kendra & David Rosales have been long-time friends. They have seen each other through thick and thin, but never imagined having to support one another through the loss of a child.
What do you do when your best friend loses their child? This was a question Kendra kept asking herself. The Kunze family was asking themselves a similar question. They were searching for a way to honor Hendrix. “You can either choose to be angry, upset and frustrated or you can choose to be grateful,” Kendra recalls. So, spurred by the love and gratitude of their own brave one, Rose, Jeff, Kendra and David founded the BraveOnes Foundation in 2018.
Since that time, BraveOnes has made it their mission to create childhood joy. Childhood joy can come in many forms—from providing space and time for play to giving a simple meal to an impromptu concert. The Kunze and Rosales families reflected on what brought hope during their darkest days while Hendrix was undergoing treatment and decided to bring some of that hope and joy to other children and families going through similar experiences by focusing on two initiatives: Meaningful Meals + Toys for Joy.
Providing Childhood Joy Even During Treatment
“Imagine instead of being plugged into a wall, you were plugged into a backpack that allowed you to move and continue your testing while also being in a room that had swings and sensory floors,” Kendra says. Their vision for the playroom dared to imagine a place where children are not confined to their beds, but can play and regain some of their childhood.
Through their extensive community and tribe of supporters, BraveOnes quickly reached their goal of raising $120,000 for the new Neuroscience playroom. While the plans were being drawn up for the new play space, wireless electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring capabilities were installed and portable EEG companion backpacks were purchased. Children began using this incredible technology while playing during inpatient stays, but COVID hit.
While the global pandemic initially halted all playroom activities and updates, it ultimately allowed CHOC to reimagine the entire department from inside out. Thus, CHOC invited BraveOnes to continue their partnership in creating an entirely new play space on the brand new 7th Floor Neuroscience Department, which officially opened in Spring 2025. The current CHOC Neuroscience Playroom includes the wireless EEG monitoring system + companion backpacks, enhanced sensory play activities, neuro-friendly toys, and so much more for children of all ages and abilities.
Because of Hendrix’s seizures, he often had to go through days worth of testing, which greatly limited his ability to leave the hospital bed, let alone the room. Keeping a growing child in bed for hours and days on end can be incredibly challenging, but so much time can take its toll on families as well. The Kunze and Rosales families knew all too well how four walls could begin to close in. They longed for a change of scenery for Hendrix, even if it was simply in another room where it would be safe for him to play.
Thus, BraveOnes’ very first initiative was born - to help fund an updated Neuroscience playroom at CHOC.
Hope On a Plate
Keenly aware of the struggle families face when they have a child in the hospital, the Meaningful Meals program was originally created to provide dinners to families in CHOC’s neuroscience unit on a monthly basis.
Rose recalls a particularly difficult day when Jeff was at CHOC with Hendrix and the sense of relief he felt by receiving a free bagel. “He said, ‘I got a bagel and coffee and I feel like I can conquer the world,’” Rose recalls. “It was as if they had given him hope on a plate.”
BraveOnes’ Meaningful Meals quickly became a transportive reprieve for families and relieved them of having to leave the hospital to get food so they could focus on advocating for and taking care of their children while inpatient. Since the program launched in 2019, BraveOnes has provided 12,000+ Meaningful Meals to children and families in need, including at CHOC Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Waymakers Huntington Beach Youth Shelter, Robyne’s Nest, Ocean View High School, West Orange County Consortium for Special Education, and more.
How You Can Support BraveOnes
BraveOnes Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit organization. Contributions made are tax-deductible for donors.
Make a Monetary Donation
Come join us for our annual Hangout 4 Hendrix or Bowl-a-thon events.
Attend an Event
We need monthly volunteers to deliver meals. If you are interested, please reach out!
Volunteer to Deliver Meals
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors & Community Parthers
BraveOnes proudly collaborates with organizations like Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), Bracken’s Kitchen, Matter of Craft, HBUHSD Unified Sports, Waymakers Huntington Beach Youth Shelter, Robyne’s Nest, Ocean View High School, and the West Orange County Consortium for Special Education to uplift and support the youth at highest-risk in our community.
Contact Us
EMAIL
BraveOnesFoundation@gmail.com
POST
9151 Atlanta Ave #8384
Huntington Beach, CA 92615
PHONE
(657) 204-6935
SOCIAL