Kids With Big Hearts started on March 8th, 2006. Alexis had spent a total of 21 days in the hospital over a 2-month span earlier in the year. We were touched so much by the Child Life staff and Music Therapist that we threw them a “Thank You” party. While visiting we spoke about how we would like to give back to the hospital because they gave us so much. That’s where we learned about Jared Boxes.
On the way home we were talking about buying a few items to make a Jared Box. As soon as we got home Nathaniel (then age 5) and Alexis (then age 8) ran to their rooms and brought out their piggy banks. My heart was filled with such joy that my kids wanted to help others so much. I tried to explain to them that they didn’t need to use their own money. But they both emptied the banks and together they had 1,688 pennies. With that money they bought items to make several Jared Boxes.
Word traveled quickly through our family and friends about what the kids did. Within just a few weeks we had enough items to make 50 boxes. Our first delivery was on April 5th, 2006. That day was so rewarding to Alexis and Nathaniel they wanted to make sure this was a ‘forever’ project.
After Nathaniel spent a total of six days in the hospital in Nov. 2006, he then also knew first hand what it was like to be a patient. Due to that they started collecting coloring books/activity books and crayons.
We look at our hospital stays as not a negative experience but a positive one. God put us in the situation knowing thoughtfulness is “paid forward” !
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