Any beach vacation can create special memories, but this was even more true for 13 families who are visiting Orange Beach this week.

On Aug. 18, 13 families traveled to Orange Beach as part of the Little Pink Houses of Hope retreat. The nonprofit provides free week-long vacations for breast cancer patients and their families to give them an opportunity to reconnect and celebrate life in a relaxing environment.

Orange Beach has welcomed families as part of the program for 10 years. All activities and services are provided free of charge so families can focus on spending quality time together.

Throughout the week families will enjoy a variety of activities, including a sand sculpting lesson, a kayaking excursion, a day at Turquoise Place Beach and a family photoshoot. Sponsors of the event include Turquoise Place, Dolphin Cruises, Orange Beach Wind and Water Learning Center, The Gulf, GT's On The Bay, Sandcastle University, LuLu's and Flora-Bama Ole River Grill.

Little Pink Houses of Hope was founded by Jeanine Patten-Coble, now a 15-year breast cancer survivor who started the organization after noticing the gap in services that exists for families of survivors.

To learn more about Little Pink Houses of Hope and how you can get involved, visit www.littlepink.org.