Holiday Giving Results
Updated 02/2022:
We want all in-patient heart kids to experience the simple joy of waking up on Christmas morning knowing Santa found them, even in the hospital, and made their wishes come true. And 2021 was no exception! For the 2021 holiday season, Angels for Hearts donated over $16,500 through our “Wishes, Wants & Needs” program.
We provided gift cards to Child Life Specialists, so they have funds in hand to help pediatric heart patients with while in the hospital and throughout the year. Angels for Hearts also helped Santa deliver items that were specific to the “Wishes, Wants & Needs” of each hospital, including baby soothers, crib mobiles, MamaRoos, LEGOs, books, infant pajamas, arts & crafts, holiday socks, 3D puzzles, and more gift cards.
Santa doesn’t do this job alone. Thanks to our very special elves Susan Siravo, Brandi McEvoy, and Taylor White for helping us make dreams come true for pediatric heart patients!
Angels for Hearts supports Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital (Stanford, CA), Sutter Children’s Center Sacramento (Sacramento, CA), UC Davis Children’s Hospital (Sacramento, CA), and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital San Francisco (San Francisco, CA). Thanks to our generous donors, volunteers, and community, the 2021 holiday giving season was a joyous success.
Posted 11/2021:
We hope you have all had a happy, healthy year—filled with a renewed sense of hope that our communities are returning to a new normal. Just like 2020, this year has added another level of stress to heart kids, their families, and the Child Life Specialists helping pediatric heart patients in the hospitals through additional safety protocols and ever-changing guidance.
Since 2006, Angels for Hearts has had the pleasure of delivering Christmas presents to thousands of pediatric heart patients at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital San Francisco, Sutter Children’s Center, Sacramento and UC Davis Children’s Hospital—all thanks to the generous support of our donors. We want all in-patient heart kids to experience the simple joy of waking up on Christmas morning knowing Santa found them, even in the hospital, and made their wishes come true.
Angels for Hearts is a one-of-a-kind organization, filling a void that has never before been filled. Child Life Specialists are pediatric health care professionals who work with children and families in hospitals to help them cope with the challenges of hospitalization and illness. They provide children with age-appropriate preparation for medical procedures and coping strategies. They also provide information, support, and guidance to parents, siblings, and other family members.
“It obviously was not the special Christmas I had envisioned for our family this year. I threw myself a quick pity party as staff and people went home for the holidays and we stayed behind at Lucile Packard Hospital in Palo Alto, CA. Christmas morning I awoke to find a huge sack of toys and the sweetest note attached “Eastyn, Merry Christmas”. I melted! We teach our children about the “magic” of Christmas. As I Facetimed with my husband and kids a state away, I remember Gracin saying, “See! Santa knew where Eastyn was and loves her too.” This magic is what the Christmas season is all about. Little did I know that this first, special Xmas for Eastyn, would also be her last. Inside that burlap sack was love, thoughtfulness, and the gift of Christmas. In the wee morning hours of Christmas while both she and I slept, it was placed by her bedside…anonymously. Later I found out that Angels for Hearts was responsible; their name was on the back side of the tag. I will never forget this Christmas. Angels for Hearts brings the magic.”
– A quote from Amanda Nemeth, Mother, Heart Angel Family
While this year Angels for Hearts may not be able to deliver presents in-person, the spirit of Christmas is stronger than ever, and we need to help Santa fill his sleigh. By making a charitable donation, you will help the Child Life Specialists provide presents and fulfill the “Wishes, Wants and Needs” of the pediatric heart patients this holiday season and throughout the year.
Please donate online or mail a check with this form to:
Angels for Hearts
3512 Gabilan Way
Sacramento, CA 95821
We request holiday donations by December 31, 2021. Thank you in advance for your generosity and continued support!
Angels for Hearts Board of Directors
Curt, Kimberly, Patti, Patrice, Dan, Mike & Tina
