“Shattering the Silence” of Domestic Violence
On January 11, 2001, our family suffered a tragedy that forever changed all of our lives. Our daughter, Michelle R. Gifford, was murdered by her husband with her two little girls listening and experiencing the horrific event of that night. Through the tragedy of loss, The Wild Heart Association was born. Wild Heart began as a fundraiser for Michelle’s two little girls who were 9 months and 3 1/2 years old at the time of the murder.
No insurance, no savings, and no resources were available at that time to help with the expenses the family incurred that tragic night. Michelle’s closest friends and cousins organized two Wild Heart Benefits. After the benefit events, we felt that we needed to turn our loss into something positive that would tell our story and leave a legacy of hope for Michelle’s two little girls as they grew up. Our story is a testimony of faith and hope. Through the Grace of God we walked through this terrible darkness and came out in the light with his Mercy.
The parent Chapter of The Wild Heart Association was founded in Indiana in 2001. It is under the direction of Michelle’s sister, Melanie. The Organization expanded in 2004 to a new Chapter in Central Florida.
Wild Heart Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization. The flying wing heart with halo has been registered as our trademark through the U.S. Department of Patents and Trademarks. Our energy and resources will go towards victims and programs of domestic violence.