“I hope [people] remember Rachael and the light she brought, and that nobody should be able to take that light from anybody else,” said Mark Wierzbicki.

November 27, 2023 marks the five-year anniversary of the day Rachael Wierzbicki’s life was cut short due to domestic violence. Her parents, Lauri and Mark, started the Rachael Warrior Foundation to try to prevent Rachael’s story from being repeated.

On Monday, November 20, Child and Family Services presented the Rachael Warrior Foundation with a plaque that will permanently hang in the front hallway of its Richmond-Lockwood Mansion in recognition of the $125,000, including a $50,000 endowment fund, given for the Rebuilding with Rachael Fund. This gift will go to help Child and Family Services Haven House increase resources towards domestic violence prevention, intervention and building support services for survivors of domestic violence.

Bubbles filled the air as guests arrived, coming from a bubble machine dedicated to Rachael that has been in the courtyard at Haven House since the summer. Later in the evening, Mark recalled the story behind the Rachael Warrior Foundation’s “turning tears into bubbles” slogan. Bubbles were always a favorite of Rachel. On a visit to Walt Disney World as a child, Lauri and Mark purchased a bubble wand for Rachael. She then spent the trip blowing bubbles for other children, wanting to sprinkle a little bit of extra magic in their day.

“We hope people will see this plaque and know there is a possibility for a bright future, and that they can get out and escape,” said Mark

Family and friends gathered to enjoy Crystal Light and cheesecake, Rachael’s favorite drink and dessert. The group reminisced about Rachael and all the good that her life has represented for others in the community.

When the big moment came, the group moved to the front hallway where a purple curtain covered the plaque – purple being the color of domestic violence awareness. Lauri and Mark lifted the curtain to reveal the plaque, which prominently features the Rachael Warrior Foundations logo of an angelic Rachael blowing bubbles to those around her. The crowd broke into a combination of applause and tears, knowing that Rachael’s bubbles were finding their way to those who need them.

Thank you to the Rachael Warrior Foundation for their incredible gift in Rachael’s honor!