Noah's Kindness Project 2023- September 16!

 This year we will celebrate Noah's Kindness Project on the afternoon of Saturday, September 16. 

We'd love for you to join us for any or all of the following activities.

1-2 pm:  We will take gifts to the hospital where Noah spent his 12 days of life.

2-4 pm: We will be volunteering for Feed My Starving Children in Mesa AZ (must be 5 years or older to volunteer) 

4:30- 6 pm:  We will help prepare a meal for the families at the Ronald McDonald House near Banner Desert Medical Center. ( Must be 16 years old or older to volunteer, please visit this link to learn more about their volunteer instructions https://rmhccnaz.org/wp-content/uploads/Dinner-Instructions-v3.pdf )

I will provide specific instructions to those who reach out to volunteer with us, as the date approaches.

If you would like to volunteer for any or all of these, please email angela.haskovec@gmail.com with the details related to what activities you plan to participate in.

We would love to have you join us and are so grateful for your help in spreading kindness while honoring Noah.

Until next time,

Angie

Noah's Kindness Project 2022- Save the date!

 Please save the date for this year's Noah's Kindness Project!

                    Saturday, October 1, 2022

We will be gathering together on Saturday, October 1st and this year plan to have one signature event... volunteering at Feed My Starving Children from 4:30-6:30 on Saturday, October 1st.  We hope you will join us!

To sign up to volunteer, please visit this link and then sign up https://gctempe.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1355159  We are partnering with our church and have lots of volunteer slots to fill!  Please share with others, bring your friends! It should be a wonderful time!

Thank you for helping us remember Noah!

Noah's Kindness Project 2021 Schedule

 Here is the schedule for what we will be doing during the 2021 Noah's Kindness Project:  We hope you will join us!  Remember you are welcome to participate in NKP however you'd like, our goal of Noah's Kindness Project is simply to share kindness far and wide.

2021 Local Schedule: 

8:30 am: Walk/Run for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

If you would like to join us for the run/walk (approximately 3.2 miles or 2 miles) please arrive at our home by 8:15 am.  We will plan to leave from our home at 8:30.  Maps will be provided day of if you would like.  

9:15-9:45 am: Cool down and breakfast

9:45-11:30 am  Kindness Activities:

•  Prepare Homeless Care Kits, 
• NICU Family Care packages (*Thank you to American Business Solutions for this year's coolers)
• NICU Baby Halloween Costumes

12-2 pm: Packing food boxes for St. Mary's Food Bank

• If you'd like to join us please meet at 
• 2831 N 31st Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85009  
• Volunteers must be 12 years or older  

2-4 pm On-going Kindness activities:

• NICU Baby Halloween Costumes  
• NICU Scent Cloths

4 pm Delivery of NICU gifts

Please reach out to Angie or Jarrett to let us know if you plan to join us in person.

Thank you!

Noah's Kindness Project 2021

Noah's Kindness Project 2021 will be held on Saturday, October 2.

We are currently assembling the schedule and making plans to have in person activities as well as activities that anyone can participate in no matter where you are.  

Noah's Kindness Project Store:

While we now have featured every color of the rainbow in the last 6 years we've had Noah's Kindness Project, this year we will be sporting a tie-dye colored shirts (in rainbow colors of course).  If you would like to purchase a NKP t-shirt, please visit our NKP store found here.

Order today: the deadline to order is August 29th.  

Virtual Race/Walk:  

 The night before Noah passed away we were informed our time with him was limited and we were asked if we would like to have some professional pictures taken of him and our family before his time on earth was done.  We of course said yes and as the hour passed, we were informed of an incredible organization called, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.  This organization collaborates with professional photographers who volunteer their time to photograph families whose children are in the final moments of their time on earth.  Some times they come before the child/baby passes and other times they come right after.  Their goal is to give the family professional pictures (moments) that the family will have to look back on and cherish after their lives are separated by this world. 

We were fortunate enough to have an incredible photographer who came to the hospital in the middle of the night to take pictures of Jarrett, Noah and me.  They are some of the most cherished photos I have of him.  My favorite one is this...

This picture is the one picture we keep on display in our home for others to see.  It is my favorite because it is of Noah being held in Daddy's hands.  This picture reminds me of the song I learned as a little girl in Bible school... "He's got the whole world in his hands."  As I look at this picture it is this song that comes to mind each and every time.  While I cherish seeing the care and love Jarrett shared in holding our precious little miracle, so tiny and perfect, I am reminded that God now holds him in his hands, until we can get there to be with him again.  And that brings me some peace.

We are forever grateful for the gift that Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep gave us in those pictures and for other families facing a similar road of having to say goodbye too soon, it has always been an organization to give to.  

This year, they are doing a virtual walk in honor of the babies gone too soon and this year it happens to fall on October 2.  We invite you to join us for the virtual walk.  We will be hosting a route starting from our house in person on October 2 at 8:30 am if you'd like to join us in person, or you can participate where ever you might be.

If you would like to join our Noah's Kindness Project team for the virtual walk please visit: https://raceroster.com/registration/49262/entry?team=333857 

We invite you to join us for a 1.2 mile run or walk, or if you're not up for that long, go for a 12 minute walk/run in honor of the 12 days he lived.  If you're up for a bigger challenge we invite you to go longer. Share with us what you decide to do... whether you walk, run, roller-skate, ride a bike, or crawl.... we'd love to see you post your virtual morning activity with us.  

If you would like to join us in person, please rsvp to Angie or Jarrett by September 15 so we can plan ahead and arrive to our house by 8:15 for an 8:30 start.  

Feed My Starving Children:

more information coming soon. 

                                                            Homeless Care Kits:
If you would like to help contribute items for our homeless care kits, please see the list and quantities of the items we need below.

*  Washcloths (50)

* Applesauce Pouches (100)

* Socks (50 pairs adult sizes)

* Granola Bars (150 bars total)

* Hand sanitizers (individual travel sizes) 50 

* Toothbrushes (100): Already Donated

* Toothpaste 50

* Lip Balm (100 individual tubes)

* Kleenex (100 individual packs)

* Sunscreen packets (100 individual packs)

* Bottled Water (100 bottles)

* Gallon Sized Ziplock bags (100 bags)

* Other non-perishable snacks (chips, crackers, etc) (200 preferred)

Ronald McDonald House:

If you would like to join us to make a meal for families staying in the Ronald McDonald House near Banner Desert Medical Center, we invite you to sign up ASAP for a very limited volunteer option.  Due to COVID, the Ronald McDonald house is allowing 4 individuals to go into their facility (if they are fully vaccinated and pass the COVID-19 health screening) to make meals for the families staying. 

If you are interested in being one of 3 volunteers able to make a meal to share with families, please contact Angie directly ASAP.   

We will continue to update the schedule and provide additional details as they become available.  

Thank you for your continued support and kindness as we celebrate Noah's legacy.

Jarrett and Angie

Excited for tomorrow!

 As we go to sleep tonight, we look forward to tomorrow and getting to celebrate our little guy who we can't see but still remains a very big part of our family.  We are so thankful for those who join us in participating and help us spread kindness in the world.

I feel more than ever kindness is needed.  

Here are a few photos of us these last few weeks getting ready, by putting together, putting together the gifts for the NICU and assembling other items to share.

Thank you to those who shared gifts with us already, for the NICU, for the children's shelter and more.  

We hope you'll join us by sharing pictures of the acts of kindness you do.  

Please remember no act of kindness is too small to leave an imprint in this world.  

Thank you all for being rainbows in our lives. 

Until tomorrow,

Noah's family.

He made a difference in all of our lives... Michael's perspective

 Michael recently had to write an essay for school and unbeknownst to me he decided to write about his brother.... I am proud to share his essay... all in his words.

My Baby Brother You Can’t See

It was June25, 2015. This is a day that is meaningful to me and also serves as a day of reflection. We had to say goodbye to my baby brother whose name was Noah, because he was too small and young to be able to live on earth. I remember thinking of all the things that he would never get the chance to do. It reminded me how thankful I should be because I get to live.

First, (backtrack a little bit) the day had started off great. It was June, 13 2020 we had been frequently visiting the hospital because my mom was about to give birth, “this is Noah your baby Brother” I can remember my mom saying. I replied with a “Mom he is really really small”. Even though it was considered premature due to the fact she was giving birth early, I did not care that I was ready to have a brother who was younger than me. My brother Gabriel would always say something like “I am going to be the first one to play baseball” this showed that he was also really happy. At night (this is when I was eight) Dreaming that Noah, Gabriel (my older brother), and I would live in a mansion together and be very rich and not have to worry about having to do daily house chores. I would brainstorm and write things that I would someday do with him like be able to Drive him to school, sneak candy up to our room, and all the other mischief that brothers would do.

During this week, there were vast amounts of different moods. During the week every new news felt like it was against Noah, I could tell that my parents were very sad and did not know what the future would bring. There was an occasional “Noah is doing the best” I just wanted to cry. My mom had signed me up for summer school which I was fine with because it would help me learn and make sure that she had someone to watch us. But the hardest thing was that all day during the summer school the only thing I could think about was if I got home and found out that he was already gone. When I did get to go to the hospital I got to see a baby fighting for his life, and he was so small and fragile. Towards the end of the week I could tell that things were not going the way that my family wanted it to go. And then on June 25 2005 I had gotten home from school and my mom was home and for a second I really confused then it hit me he had gone. Both of my parents told me “God is with him”. I ran to my room and was just a mess crying. Looking back I now realize that life is really important every day. You can see people complaining because something so small happened, sometimes this annoys me because they aren't just happy that they get to breathe and live. Maybe that one extra breath could have been a life changing moment and got Noah back to good health again. So every day I try to take account of everything I am blessed with and try hard to not complain at the little things and enjoy the wonders of life.

In conclusion, life is a blessing that some people will never get the chance to experience and therefore should be really thankful for that ability. Noah was a major part of my life that let me reflect on my mindset and change the way I think. Today my parents have made something that is called Noah's Kindness Project and every year we do 12 acts of kindness representing the 12 days that he was alive. Although I would rather have him with me knowing that because of the event of his death my family and others are able to help others for the better. To finish this off the quote that is the Noah's Kindness Project Motto is “There is no foot too small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world”.

 

Noah’s Kindness Project Kindness Packs

A month from today will be Noah’s Kindness Project!  Just like everything that 2020 has brought, this year’s event will be different as well. While we would love to have everyone together, this year it just seems to be the wise decision to participate apart.

While our friends in other areas who have been participating in Noah’s Kindness Project from afar can share with us, the act of kindness you chose to do is really up to you.  Remember there is no act too small to make a difference.  Honestly, holding a door for another person, greeting someone with a smile and a hello on your morning walk, or even picking up litter in your neighborhood… all great acts and equally appreciated.

For those who are here locally with us and would like, we have put together kindness packs to share.  These kindness packs are designed with five different activities (one for each year Noah would have been today) for you to pick up, take home and do together with your family in the safe and comforts of your home.  Here is a run down of what’s included in each of the packs:

1)       Operation Christmas Cards: Each year United Soldiers and Sailors of American gather volunteers together to write personalized Christmas Cards for our military servicemen and women serving our country.  Included in your kindness pack will be several holiday cards and we invite you to spend some time writing a personal message to our brave men and women protecting our freedom.  For more information you can visit: https://www.usasoa.org/christmas-cards-for-our-deployed-troops

2)      Kindness Stones:  One of our kids’ favorite Noah’s Kindness Project activities is the Kindness stones.  Since we’ve been home on quarantine for what feels like the entire year, we have noticed a lot of kindness stones along our paths when we take our family walks.  Coming upon them makes us smile and brings joy into our hearts.  When we talked with the kids about what to include in the NKP Kindness Packs, one of the first things they kids said was the stones.  Our kids have enjoyed finding stones of various sizes and shapes along our walks and we hope you family can enjoy decorating them with inspirational messages, words of hope and encouragement and even pictures.  Have fun and be creative.  The stones will be painted white so you can make them your own.

3)      DIY Fleece Blankets: Included in your Kindness Pack you will find material and instructions for how to make a No-Sew blanket.  Together your family can create a blanket that will be in turn gifted to a local youth shelter that cares for some of Arizona’s most deserving children.  Before becoming a mom I volunteered at a local youth shelter. The loving children there forever left an imprint in my heart and I often think about and wonder about a few of them who I truly connected with.  I know for these kids having a blanket of their own would be a gift they would truly cherish.  We hope your family will find joy in knowing you personally help create a gift that will wrap a child in warmth and care. 

4)      Care kits:  As we’ve done in the past, included in your packs will be supplies and materials to assemble a care pack for someone in need. These care packs can be shared with someone who you see who is in need.  Feel free to personalize your packs with other items if you choose.  We will share water, snacks, hand sanitizer, wipes and other items that we hope can help those in need.  Once you’ve created your packs, feel free to hand them out yourself to someone in your community who could benefit from the kind act.

5)     Cards of thanks:  Finally included in your pack will be a pack of thank you cards.  In these last few months of having our world turned upside down, we have all faced many challenges.  As much as there have been challenges, there have been just as many people stepping up and helping.  Just like Mr. Rogers would say, in challenging times, look for the helpers for they will give you hope.  We invite you think about those people who have been the helpers for you in your lives and to take a few minutes to write a card of thanks.  Maybe it’s the check out person at the grocery store, or a nurse or doctor who has helped you through an illness, a friend who reaches out just to say hi and check in, a teacher helping you navigate virtual learning for you or your child, your postman/woman or even your Amazon delivery driver.  Yes when we think about it, our lives have definitely changed since the start of 2020 and while we have had to overcome new challenges, there have definitely been those who have made it easier.  Join us as we take a moment to say thank you. 

If you are local and would like a Noah’s Kindness Project Kindness Pack please visit this link so we can reserve one for you.  The packs will be available for pick up from our home on October 1 and 2^nd.  We will communicate additional details directly. 

For those who may be celebrating with us from afar, we invite you to participate in these activities if you so choose as well. We are sorry we are unable to mail the packs at this time, but hope you will still choose to celebrate and share with us in your own special way. 

 These packs are our way of thanking you for supporting us these past five years.  Please know that losing Noah was one of the hardest things we’ve ever gone through in our lives but because of so many of you, we are able to celebrate him and his life and feel strong because of the love and kindness shared with us from you. 

While definitely not necessary or expected, if you would like to donate a preemie, newborn outfit or receiving blankets when you pick up the pack, we would gladly share it with the Banner Desert NICU as a part of the gifts shared in memory of Noah.  Again definitely not necessary. 

Finally, we want to again say thank you.  Thank you for all the ways you have helped us share kindness with others, kindness with us and love as we remember Noah.  We may never be able to fully convey how much this means to us.  We remain forever grateful.

Until next time,

Angie and Jarrett

 

Michael's suggestion... #Keanustrong

 Each year when we begin talking about Noah's Kindness Project, we always talk with the kids about their thoughts and ideas.  Most of the time they ask to do a race, to volunteer at Feed My Starving Children, and if they will get to see all the friends who usually join us.  In past year's they've helped to suggest the kindness stones and the grocery store cart returns as well as the Crayon Initiative they helped to organize with their school.

Usually we spend a few nights talking about it and then as it gets closer they ask more about it.  For the most part that is as involved as they like to be in deciding what we do.  Except the other night, I was studying and Michael came over and said, "Hey Mom, can I ask you about a project I'd like for us to do for Noah's Kindness Project?" I stopped reading and looked up... "Sure what do you want to do?"

He pushed his phone in front of me and said, "Mom, can we help them?"

 This is my friend Noah's family.  This was the picture he showed me...  He said, "Mom I feel so bad for them, can we donate to help them."   I was glad Michael brought it to my attention and thought of Noah's Kindness Project to help them.  I told him to forward it to me and I'd talk to dad but that we'd do something.  

That night when Jarrett got home from work, I showed him what Michael had asked me about and he said of course we will donate.  He too said, he was proud Michael brought it to us.  

As we read the story about Keanu, my heart was taken back to those days with Noah.  It's amazing how no matter how many days, months and years go by, when you hear the story of other families who have had similar experiences, your heart immediately connects with what they are going through.  My heart also breaks for them that they had to say goodbye.  It sounds like he was quite the fighter too and I am so sorry their family has to walk the path of heart-wrenching grief and loss.  

We hope that their family feels the strength, love and support from others as they go through these very hard days.  It was because of all the kindness, love and support we were given that we are able to celebrate Noah's Kindness Project today.  I look back now five years later and while I still miss Noah everyday, I can see all the good that has come from it and I am thankful that he life had a purpose.  

I also believe Heaven's playground must be pretty incredible.  With the angel babies that we know who are there, I smile thinking of the friendships that must be made.

And one more note about this gift.... one of the qualities we value and hope to share with our children is giving to others in need and to think of others in how we can help.... I hope that through Noah's Kindness Project that our children see just how rewarding it is to gift to others without expecting anything in return.

Thanks Michael for bringing us this idea for kindness.  We are always excited and open to hear ideas from others.... if you have an idea, please share with us!

and if you'd like to give to to Keanu's family you can visit their go fund me at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/gofundmecomfkeanu-strong 

Until next time,

Angie

Noah's Kindness Project Apparel:

See what's missing?

Orange you going to say orange? :-)

This year we finish off the colors of the rainbow with our apparel being orange.  I am excited to see what this picture will look like next year (hopefully when we can be in person again).

We have again partnered with our friends who are helping us host a virtual store where you can place your orders directly. If you would like to see the items available in the store, please visit: https://www.shopasbonline.com/noahs-kindness-project.html

We are asking that you place your orders before August 17th (store closes August 16 at midnight).  If you live near us and you'd like you can have your items shipped to us and I can make sure we get them to you also.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you!
Angie and Jarrett.

Announcing Noah's Kindness Project Date 2020

Finally, we are excited to announce the date of Noah's Kindness Project 2020...

Please Save the date.... October 3, 2020

What a year 2020 has been?   Right?

We have been waiting since spring to share and announce the details of Noah's Kindness Project 2020 but with the realities of our world today, we didn't feel comfortable sharing information when we knew we couldn't fully plan that it would happen.

So what's the latest?

For those who participate with us from afar, this year will be almost the same!  For those who are local and usually join us for many of the activities, we have made the decision that we will not be doing any in-person or group events for 2020.  Due to the pandemic,  Noah's Kindness Project 2020 may look and feel different but the purpose and goal will not change.   

For those who are local and join us, we are sad we can't all be together this year, however we still hope you will join us to celebrate Noah's legacy. We encourage others to help us remember and honor Noah and share kindness in your own special way.  We know that each of you have your favorite ways to share kindness and that you have probably been doing this all year long, especially as we navigate these challenging times. 

This year, on October 3, we ask that you take a few moments from your day and share kindness, in memory of Noah. 

Coming tomorrow...

We will be releasing information about our annual t-shirts and goodies store tomorrow, and items will still be distributed prior to the date.  We will also be sharing information in the coming days about fun ways you can participate with us (while keeping socially distant and staying healthy) through kindness activity kits we will be building to distribute.

We invite everyone to participate in the way you'd like, by doing something for others, or donating to a non-profit or cause that is close to your heart.  We invite you to share your act of kindness (remember no act of kindness is too small), with us on social media or through personal text so we can see just how far spreading Noah's legacy can be.

Our unending thanks...

As we look ahead to October 3, 2020 and think about the five years it has been since Noah came into this world, we thank you for supporting us in this journey. These last five years have been ones of great growth for us.  From very difficult days when your love and kindness carried us, to very joyous and wonderful moments seeing the impact kindness can have in others lives as you share in honoring our angel baby's life.  Thank you for helping to keep Noah's legacy alive and for your efforts to positively improve this world through kindness.

We hope to see you (virtually) on October 3 as we continue the goal of being a rainbow in someone's cloud. 

Remember there is no foot (or act of kindness) too small that it cannot make a (positive) imprint on the world. 

Thank you sincerely,
Noah's Family.

2020 Noah's Kindness Project: Save the date...

SAVE the DATE:  TBD

With the recent events of COVID-19 we are still trying to figure out how we will celebrate Noah's Kindness Project this year while keeping everyone safe and practice social distancing.

We hope to announce the date in the coming weeks.  Please check back soon!

Thank you!

NKP: A day in review....

Noah's Kindness Project this year was such a fun day. It started early (wake up call at 5 am) when the fun started and as the day wrapped up, our smiles were still on our face.

I can not stress enough how much your participation and support mean to us.   As we reflect on Noah’s kindness project this year, the one word that keeps coming to mind is gratitude. Saturday was filled with laughter, smiles and immeasurable joy. At one point during the day when we were at our house working on projects to take to the hospital and to share with homeless people, I stopped for a moment and listened to the laughs, the conversations and happiness that filled our home. I looked into the front room and saw a reflection of a rainbow on our living room wall(we have a rainbow maker 🌈) and I thought... this is all happening because we had to lose you. Saying goodbye to Noah after only 12 days was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, and if I’m being honest I didn’t think I’d ever experience joy like I did before he passed. And then there was yesterday and so many other days that I have lived since, where life has been so so good. Noah’s kindness project is only possible because of so many of you who help us spread kindness with others.

Thank you to those of you who joined us in sharing kindness in Noah’s memory. Our shirts say “there is no foot too small that it cannot make an imprint on the world” and I believe we are doing that, for no act of kindness big or small is in vain. Our sincere appreciation and eternal gratitude.
#noahskindnessproject
#kindnessmatters #betherainbowinsomeoneslife
#nofoottoosmall

And now, let the photos tell the story...

Healthcare for Heroes 5K Race: benefiting healthcare workers.

Early morning... we left the house before the sun came up.

So thankful for those who joined us bright and early!

Madelyn finished her first 5K and we were so proud of her.  She walked and ran a big chunk of it.  

She's super proud of her medal

Papa placed!

Jennings got his first medal for strolling his 5K

Here are the NKP team members who placed! Thanks to Papa, Michael, and Team Kappes for making NKP look good!  I won't mention where I placed. :-)

Annette and the girls with their medals

The assembly of Joy Jugs to share with the homelesss

And happiness kits to share with the kids in the hospital

And we made scrapbook pages for the nurses to share with the families in the NICU

So thankful for this big group who turned out to support us!

Jarrett and Sonya catching up! Even Jack got to participate in the fun!

After we prepared the items, it was time to head to the hospital to deliver them.

 Delivering gifts to Banner Desert ,we took them to Labor and Delivery, Antepartum, the NICU and the Children's hospital

This is the comfort room where the Cuddle Cot is stored for families.  

So thankful to Campbell and his family (their charity) for making our dream of gifting a Cuddle Cot a reality.

At Cardon's Children's hospital. 

And then it was time to go pack meals at Feed My Starving Children.

Still smiling!

 This is such a fun project, and moving at the same time.

Jennings first Noah's Kindness Project.  He thought it was pretty fun too!

I love the saying on the back of our shirts because it reminds me of Noah but also the fact that our acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, are never wasted.  For each act that we share hopefully makes someone else feel better and even if it is just one person, then it was worth it. 

Thank you for all of you who made this day so much fun and for sharing kindness far and wide. 

We are extremely thankful.

Until next time,

Angie and Jarrett