When: Feb. 7 through 21, Tuckahoe YMCA, 9211 Patterson Ave., Henrico
What: Donate the following care-bag items: men and women’s deodorant, chap stick, dental floss, playing cards, coloring books, colored pencils, washable markers and stickers.
And Why? To learn more about MLH, pick up the Feb issue of Richmond Family Magazine, visit mendedlittlehearts.org, or contact us at mlhrichmond@gmail.com.
Throughout the year, Mended Little Hearts sponsors programs with safe and stress-free activities for kids with congenital heart defects, and educational and medical speakers for parents, including pediatric cardiologists, surgeons, nurses, technicians, social workers, and others who care for their children. Families can also learn about early intervention programs, stress management resources, school programs, and outreach opportunities like Starlight Escapes for families coping with chronic illness. The organization also collects items for and distributes what they call care bags to families whose children have been born with congenital heart defects.
“Many people feel like one of the best services MLH provides is the care bag program for families who have children in the hospital,” says Rebecca Mannion, mother of a 7-year-old born with dilated cardiomyopathy. Most children in Richmond born with a heart defect requiring surgery will have surgery outside of Richmond, many unexpectedly. MLH gives these families care bags full of items to make the families hospital stay easier. “Parents often tell us that when they get the care bag they feel like someone truly understands them, and they have more hope they will make it through this very difficult time,” Mannion says.
Ultimately, according to Jennifer Smith, who with Mannion heads up MLH in Richmond, meeting other families who are dealing with similar circumstances through MLH is reassuring. “When you interact with people who have kids who are six or seven – or even seventeen – you see that life goes on and that there is some degree of normal down the road,” says Smith. “And that’s very important when your children have a rocky start.”
Read about the good works of Mended Little Hearts in Richmond and its surrounding counties on page 22 of this month’s Richmond Family Magazine.
