Dear UGA Miracle,

My name is Sara Ruth Raines, and I am the 2026-27 Executive Director of UGA Miracle. I am thrilled to welcome you to its 32nd year. Looking back at the legacy of leaders who came before me, I am reminded of how much this organization has grown, but more importantly, how much it has grown me. UGA Miracle has defined my college experience, reshaped my perspective, brought me my closest friends, and welcomed me into a family where thousands of students fight every day for a purpose: to champion our families and change the future of pediatric healthcare.

My journey with UGA Miracle began like so many others. I was just a freshman, in a new environment, trying to make UGA feel like home. I knew that I wanted to be more than a sorority girl and a business student, but I didn’t know how. Then I found myself at Dance Marathon 2024. I never planned on staying–frankly, I only attended because my sorority told me to. But what began as an annoying obligation quickly turned inot a real life passion. I finally saw a different side of this campus and this student body. The passion of the people around me was simply contagious , and it didn’t take long for their “why” to become my own.

Over the past three years, I have had the privilege of serving as the Phi Mu Team Captain and the Alumni and Family Chair. Two very different roles, however they both formed me into the next leader of this organization. My ‘why’ changes frequently because my ‘why’ is UGA Miracle. It is not just one moment or reason–it is the people. It is the committee members who are trying to find their place, the champions who we celebrate, the alumni who continue to pour into us, the 32 executive board members I have the pleasure of spending every Wednesday night with, and it's you. Our fundraising efforts do more than just fund equipment and support Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. They unite us, foster our community, and provide hope.

What makes UGA Miracle so special is a phrase we hear so often, yet one that rings entirely true: you come for the cause, but you stay for the people. Our champion families and devoted student body are the heartbeat of everything we do. Their resilience, joy, and strength put everything into perspective. They are living proof of the life-saving care that Children’s provides, and being allowed to play a small part in that journey is the greatest privilege of this role. They are the reason our fundraising goals matter; they turn numbers into real faces, real smiles, and real lives that we have the privilege to support. They remind us that every text sent, every donor reached, and every hour spent is entirely worth it because of the community that we are building together.

Serving as the Executive Director is the honor of a lifetime, and I am so deeply grateful to lead alongside this community. Thank you all for trusting me, inspiring me, and helping my dreams come true.

As we step into our 32nd year, I challenge you to lean in like never before. In this environment, it is so easy to always look ahead at what’s next. I want you to remember to be where your feet are. And this year, our feet happen to be together. We have a beautiful history behind us, but an even brighter future ahead when we choose to be fully present in this fight. Let’s make this year one of dedication, overwhelming joy, and endless miracles for the kids who need it most.

Thank you for being a vital part of this journey and this family. Let’s make year 32 unforgettable.

All my love,

Sara Ruth Raines - Executive Director, UGA Miracle