Healing Children, Strengthening Families, and Building Community 

Christopher Caolong Nguyen Endowment Fund 

Christopher CaoLong Nguyen and his twin brother, Alexander, were born on December 22, 2017 to a loving Catholic family in Marietta. His parents, Thao and Long, were thrilled to bring two beautiful boys into their family which was already blessed with two sisters and a brother.  The older children adored their new baby brothers. Christopher, like his brother Alexander, was a very happy baby, and filled everyone with joy, smiles and laughter when they carried him.  

At the age of five months old, Christopher was called home to God. “Saying goodbye to our baby Christopher was the hardest thing we have ever experienced in our lives,” said his parents. On the day after Christopher’s death, Thao heard him speak to her heart, asking her to help children in some unique way. Supported by their family and friends, the Nguyens decided to celebrate Christopher by setting up an endowment fund at the Catholic Foundation in his memory.  

“When looking for organizations to be the beneficiary of the fund, I kept on thinking about the message I heard the day after Christopher passed away, and what I read about St. Christopher,” said Thao. The Nguyens chose Christopher’s name because it meant “Christ Bearer” and in homage to Saint Christopher who is the patron saint of travelers and children. Thao expressed that both of these reasons “pointed to supporting children who are in need and that they were very happy to have found CHRIS 180.” 

CHRIS 180’s mission is to serve children in need by “healing children, strengthening families, and building community.”  The name CHRIS 180 represents the non-profit’s commitment to helping those they serve change directions and make a difference in their lives. CHRIS 180’s President & CEO, Kathy Colbenson, LMFT, shared, “In the midst of such a heartbreaking loss, we are truly touched that the Nguyen family has chosen to honor Christopher’s life by helping CHRIS 180 change lives. Their generosity, and that of those who love and support them, will help our organization serve more than 8,000 children, youth, young adults and families each year. We are thankful for their belief in our mission.” 

The Nguyens, their family, and their friends created the Christopher CaoLong Nguyen Endowment Fund with a gift of $5,000.  When the fund reaches $25,000, it will provide distributions to CHRIS 180 that will benefit this important ministry both now and in the future. 

The loss of this precious life inspires the family and friends of the Nguyens to continue to serve and support the most fragile among us. Please join us in honoring Christopher and supporting CHRIS 180 by donating to the Christopher Caolong Nguyen Endowment Fund.