Devin Tyler Memorial Scholarship Fund

My name is Bri, and I am organizing this fundraiser on behalf of the Devin Tyler Memorial Scholarship Fund within Kaylee’s Kamp Foundation.

Devin was my best friend for over 25 years. We first met in middle school on a church ski trip. His first memory of me was when I fell down the mountain and broke my leg. He came to save me, a stranger he didn’t really know. From then on we had a very strong bond.

We were very connected within the music community. We both played clarinet for many years. He went on to play professionally for as long as I can remember. He had a talent like none other.

One of the other things Devin had a talent for was connecting with people. Devin truly was one of the best humans I have ever met. He has a way of connecting with you even if you have nothing in common. He was the only one I’d watch Star Wars for. He was also the one who helped me believe in myself and believe in my abilities when things in life got tough.

Devin and I both grew up in a very conservative environment. It wasn’t until we were adults later in life that he came out to me. I remember that day. I was sitting in my office working, and I got a message on Facebook. He said “I want to share something with you,” and he sent me a picture of him and his boyfriend. I’m that moment, my heart exploded for him. I was so happy for him, and then part of my heart was sad that he didn’t feel he could come out to me sooner. That was a struggle he dealt with most of his life.

Devin died in February of this year and not everyone in his life was fully accepting of him. After Devin came out to me, I knew that it was very important to embrace everything about him, embrace everything about his community, because Devin was a person in my life that was very very important to me.

He was my Man of Honor at my wedding, he was a big brother to my teenager Kai, and Devin was the person that Kai could be their most authentic self around. They knew they would be accepted by him without a doubt.

Devin is part of the reason that Kaylee’s Kamp Foundation even exists. We never want anyone within the LGBTQ+ community to feel like they can’t come out to someone around them.

This Memorial Scholarship in Devin’s honor is going to help change the lives of at least 5 kids through a fully funded scholarship program at an inclusive summer camp.

We really hope that you will join us in raising $5,000 in the memory of Devin Grant Tyler