Some families fundraise through events everyone recognizes, golf tournaments, dinners, or even a bake sale. Others find a way that’s uniquely theirs, built around their community, their connections, and one clear goal: move research forward faster for people living with Angelman syndrome.
That’s exactly what Tripp’s parents, Ally and Jared Seago, did with Trips for Tripp, a first-time fundraiser designed to raise meaningful support with minimal upfront cost. Instead of a large event, they hosted a drawing tied to a fully donated South Texas weekend experience, a guided trophy hunt. Because the entire package was donated, they were able to direct the proceeds straight to FAST and maximize impact. By the end of the drawing, Trips for Tripp raised more than $16,600, surpassing their $16,000 goal.
What made it work was simple and powerful: they created a clear, exciting way for people to help.
The Moment That Sparked It
Ally and Jared remember sitting at the FAST Global Science Summit & Gala the year before, listening as families shared the fundraisers they had built around their children. What stayed with her wasn’t a number. It was the feeling of being surrounded by people who weren’t fundraising only for their own child, but for each other’s children, too.
“It made me feel seen,” she shared. “It made me feel like we weren’t alone.”
Ally knew she wanted to be part of that. She grew up in a hunting family. She understands what a “good hunt” involves, and what it costs. So when her family began thinking about how to fundraise for FAST, they weren’t looking for something that required big upfront expenses or months of planning.
They were looking for something that could raise meaningful support in a way that fit their lives, their network, and their community.
Partnering with her brother-in-law, owner of South Texas Hunting Outfitters, made that possible. Because he donated the entire hunt, the family could offer something truly special without taking on major costs. It also opened the door to a very specific audience: people who would be genuinely excited about the opportunity and eager to participate.
In other words, it wasn’t just “an unusual fundraiser.” It was a fundraiser built with intention. It honored Tripp, and it met their community where it already was.
What It Felt Like To Do It This Year
To be on the other side of that Gala moment was hard to put into words. Ally remembers watching people show up through entries, donations, shares, and messages and feeling overwhelmed in the best way.
“It felt like hope had arms and legs,” she said. “It felt like movement. It felt like we were no longer sitting on the sidelines waiting for science to move forward… we were helping push it.”
That’s what made Trips for Tripp more than a fundraiser. It was a reminder that Tripp has an entire community behind him, cheering him on and fighting with them.
Thinking About Your Own Fundraiser?
Ally and Jared’s advice is to not underestimate what your community is capable of. People genuinely want to help; sometimes they just need a clear path to do it.
Choose something that fits your family and your world, even if it feels small at first. There’s real power in families stepping forward, and it’s amazing what happens when everyone gives even just a little.
“Our children deserve every possible opportunity,” Ally said. “We get closer to a cure every time another family decides to take a step.”