From The Heart

From the Heart .....
Helping adults and children living with chronic and terminal illnesses
Because the world needs more kindness

That's The Way!
What a kindly wealth of comfort
We could show the world today,
If we spared a thought for others
As we meet them on their way!
If we made a special effort
Just to lend a hand,
Treating everyone as neighbours
Spreading friendship through the land.
Elizabeth Gozney

The Beginnings

From the Heart was primarily developed to bring greater support to older adolescents and adults living with a chronic or terminal illness. Many organisations exist to help younger children. However, Fewer supports are available to help older youth and adults. Discussions with friends revealed the need for greater supports for adolescents and adults. From the Heart was developed to offer supportive programs that would meet this need.

Our Mission

Helping both children and adults who have either a chronic or terminal illness. We are a concerned group of individuals who want to put a little sunshine back into someone's life. Living with a chronic or life threatening illness can be very frustrating by times. They need support and encouragement. We want to make blankets and provide a note of encouragement with them. They will be given to children and adults. The criteria are that these individuals must have a long term illness or disability.

In the future, it is hoped that the projects will be expanded to include comfort kits and other items.

Vision

Although we will strive to help younger children, the main thrust of From the Heart will be on older adolescent children and adults. Most organisations that help those who have an illness have a deadline of age eighteen. Some have lower age limits. The premise of our work is to help adult and children and families. There are no age limits to support.

This teddy bear's name is Gene bear.

Current Projects

*Blanket program: Currently, I am looking for knitters and crocheters who are willing to make either squares or full blankets. This program aims to help children including adolescents. The children's program will serve children from birth through age twenty-one. Volunteers are also needed to help make blankets for the adult program.

*Thinking of you, notes will accompany each blanket. Stuffed animals maybe included as well. In fact. I am looking for volunteers to knit stuffed bears for persons with dementia or other long-term illnesses who are residing in local nursing homes or Valley Regional Hospital (awaiting transfer to nursing home). My mother has dementia and now resides in a local nursing home. I know how meaningful these bears are for her, and for the other residents.

Future Projects...

* One mom of a young adult thought it would be good to make pyjamas for young ladies attending an adult Cystic Fibrosis Clinic. Hospital johnny shirts are quite drab.

*Programs to help children who have ill siblings, friends, parents or grandparents.

* Comfort and humour kits for child and adult patients.

* Pen pal program

*Children's bereavement program:
In the future, we hope to offer bereavement programs aimed at helping children including adolescents. Few dedicated child bereavement programs exist. Adults often have access to bereavement support groups, but children, especially those growing up in rural areas may not have the support of such groups. Children equally deserve support in the grieving process.

*Down the road....
It would be wonderful to have a "wish" program for older teens and adults, and possibly a spiritual garden, and special summer camps, one aimed at children and teens, and another specifically for adults. Providing comedy and entertainment for persons of all ages in hospitals, and including therapeutic clowns to help people in hospital, their families, and staff is another long-term goal.

Helping Out

From the Heart is a non-dominational organisation. Everyone is welcome to help. School groups, girl guides, scouting groups, 4-H clubs, church groups, and individuals are very much welcome and needed.

Donations

Monetary donations are not accepted. From the Heart is not a registered charity, however we hope to become one in the future, so that helping projects may expand.

Donations of yarn, needles, other materials, and your time making the blankets would be very helpful. Materials are necessary in order to meet the goals of this project. Donations of new store bought or handmade stuffed animals would be much appreciated. These stuffed toys will be included with blankets for children and sometimes for adults.

Little things bring smiles and hope.

To learn how you can help please contact:

mailbox

Mary, Port Williams, Nova Scotia: [email protected]

This is still a new organization, but eventually I do hope that all Canadian provinces and American states will have a From the Heart chapter. There is a great need for helping organizations that do not have mandatory age limits.

Thank You

Thank you for dropping by. Please sign the guestbook

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Thank you to vikimouse and Sharon's Land of Hearts for providing the graphics.

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