On July 29, 2009, Joyce Davidson suffered an unimaginable loss when her only child, Aaron, passed away suddenly due to an asthma attack. During a period of deep grief, Davidson sought a meaningful way to honor Aaron's memory. 

The opportunity came during a workshop for bereaved parents, where a presenter encouraged Joyce to think of what most represented Aaron. The answer was clear: Aaron had a big heart. Inspired by this, the presenter advised, "Serve with a big heart!"

Motivated by this idea, Davidson embraced service to keep Aaron's spirit alive but initially struggled to find a straightforward path to start. In April 2021, a friend introduced Joyce to the Evanston Community Foundation. After attending a webinar and delving into ECF's resources, including their annual report and list of grantees, Davidson discovered how ECF’s mission resonated with her own dedication to community needs.

Driven by this alignment, on July 29, 2021—the twelfth anniversary of Aaron's death and Joyce Davidson’s birthday—the Aaron William Davidson (AWD) Fund was established at the Community Foundation. The foundation made a significant effort to launch the fund on this poignant day. This fund not only supports organizations Joyce had already been involved with but also helps discover new ones, like "Life Without My Child."

Creating this legacy in Aaron's name was a profound step. Joyce has committed to personally financing the AWD Fund annually, enabling the Community Foundation to continue its impactful work. This dedication ensures that the fund can help sustain the vital services that benefit the Evanston community, thus honoring Aaron's memory through continuous, heartfelt service.