02/18/2026
Oakland Heights’ very own, kind and very sweet Heidi! We miss you! ❤️
We are incredibly grateful for a generous $64 donation to the Oakland-Craig Inclusive Playground — given anonymously in memory and honor of Heidi Holm. This is the second gift we have received celebrating Heidi’s $64 years of life, and we feel truly privileged to help share her remarkable story with our community.
Heidi was a proud Oakland-Craig alum who was diagnosed with arthritis at just one year old. Despite the challenges she faced every single day, she never let her condition define her. In high school, Heidi would wake up extra early and walk from her home down to the dredge and back before school — all to loosen up her body so she could manage the many steps inside the school building. That determination is nothing short of inspiring.
But what so many remember most is not her struggle — it’s her spirit. Heidi was fun, quick-witted, and rarely complained. She had a great sense of humor and even delivered a consistent (and pretty mean!) side-arm volleyball serve. In 1979, she was crowned Homecoming Queen — a true reflection of how much she was loved by her classmates.
Heidi went on to become an occupational therapist, dedicating her life to helping others live more fully and independently. Though she was forced to retire early due to her health, she made a lasting difference in countless lives during her years of service.
Gifts like this not only move our playground project forward — they help us honor stories of strength, perseverance, and heart. Thank you to this anonymous donor for celebrating Heidi’s legacy in such a meaningful way. Her story reminds us exactly why an inclusive playground matters.
If you wish to make a tax-deductible donation to the Oakland-Craig Inclusive Playground, checks can be made payable to Oakland-Craig Public Schools Foundation with “OC Inclusive Playground” noted in the memo, or you can donate online through this link: https://drive.google.com/drive/mobile/folders/1v36AFg88J7xnem-w_7xka1OBiX6Kuh9A?usp=share_link