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Healing Hearts on Halloween is a non-profit organization created to bring the “healing magic of joy” to children in hospitals and shelters who otherwise would not be sharing in the festivities and excitement of Trick-or-Treating each year. Many of the children we reach are very sick and others are simply experiencing bad times.
The idea all started one Halloween night when I was seven years old. I was out trick or treating with my friends having a great time, as most kids do. I had a friend in the hospital at the time and I felt bad that he was not out with me enjoying the night. I then started thinking about all kids who couldn’t go out and enjoy what was one of my favorite nights of the year. It made me feel sad and I felt I just had to do something. When the night was over, I went home and handed over my treats to my mom, and asked her if we could donate them to sick kids in the hospital…That is how this all started back in 2001… I was 7 years old.
The next year, I told my mom again that I wanted to bring Halloween to kids in hospitals who were missing their chance to get dressed up and go out; it was the spring of 2002 and we began to make a plan. I spent the following months raising money by selling my toys, asking family and neighbors to donate and asking mangers of local stores to supply stuff to fill goody bags. The next thing I knew, I had help coming in from all over. We also decided to include shelters. It was a great 1st year and we made a lot of kids smile.
Over the years since then, with help from my family, friends and people in my community, we have delivered thousands of goodie bags to children in five states and we are growing. I fill bags up with reading, coloring, and activity books, crayons, masks and small toys, all to help bring a smile on children’s faces each Halloween (Candy is not allowed in hospitals unfortunately). Many of the children are very sick and in a lot of pain, some are far from home living at the Ronald McDonald Houses, others are in the hospital for that night and are simply sad, and others have no home or neighbors to visit, they are homeless. However, for one night every year we can make them smile and forget about their pain or sadness. I like to think we are giving out some great medicine…happiness. While we try to hand-deliver each bag, sometimes we can not, but I live for the times I do, seeing a smile come over a child’s face when they are feeling their worst, makes it all worth it!
Please take a moment and read the letters and news we have posted on our website. We are making a difference for so many children but we could not continue our mission, with out the help and generous donations from our Family, Friends and Sponsors. On behalf of all the children we reach, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and God Bless You.
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