For the babies, their families and those that care for them...

As we do each year, we feel called to give back to the place that was Noah's only home... Banner Desert.  This year it holds yet another memory we cherish, in the recent birth of Noah's brother Jennings just a few weeks ago.

Jarrett and I talked as we were in labor that it was hard to believe it was now 4 years ago, we were in the labor and delivery room, scared out of our minds, and facing a reality no parent wants to experience.  Little did we know our lives were about to change in ways far beyond our understanding.

We can look back on that time now and give thanks, but in the middle of it, we felt like our world was being turned upside down.  And that is why we know it is important to go back, to give what we can and to help those other families, who like us, are living in a reality filled with fear, uncertainty and a prayer of hope.  We were showered with so much kindness in that time, and it was that love and support that sustained us in those challenging times.  So for as long as Noah's Kindness Project exists, going back to Banner and sharing with others, will be a permanent part of the acts of kindness we give.

The crew arriving at Banner to share gifts!

So here is what we plan to share this year....

Scent cloths...
Prior to our NICU experience I had not a clue what a scent cloth was but generally speaking it is basically what it is called.  It is a small cloth that is worn by the mother or the father so that the parent's scent is absorbed into the cloth and then that cloth is placed near or on the baby so that the baby comes to recognize or feel comfort by their parent's smell.  What a great thing right?

I remember when they were first shared with me in the NICU it was actually something I felt like I could do to help.  As a parent, watching your precious baby hooked up to monitor after monitor, poked time and time again, is hard to say the least.  You'd give anything to change places with them, to take their pain and the procedures they have to endure.  In some ways you feel helpless.

For me, wearing, exchanging and placing the scent cloths near Noah was something I could do to hopefully help.  And so I did my best to always make sure he had my scent near him.

Earlier this year, I got an email from the leader of the NICU parent board at Banner, a group I continue to stay connected and involved with, and I learned that they were short on scent cloths.  They were looking for around 500 to have on hand for families.

Thankfully Nana (Noah's Nana) is an excellent sewer and when I shared with her, she got right to work on it and has been making them continuously.  Recently she came over and we spent a good chunk of a day (after we got my sewing machine working again--- it has been awhile since I've been sewing and it went all Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz on me). and we got a few dozen made up.

And even today Michael wanted to help me in making some to share.  He did a great job and was eager to do more!

In sharing these scent cloths I pray that the families who wear them find comfort they are doing something to help their babies and that they will get to take their baby home in good health in the coming days.

Heavenly Slumber Sleepers and Baby Quilts:

I wish my sewing talent were anywhere near that of Nana (Jarrett's Mom) and my dear friend Trudi's mom Leisa.  As evidence of my dried up sewing machine, they are not, and that is why I am so thankful for their efforts in creating the beautiful gifts of baby quilts and the heavenly slumber sleepers.

This is the rainbow quilt Nana made for Jennings to have in his first few months... the perfect size for him!

The baby quilts are shared with families as they get closer to getting to take their baby's home with them. The beautiful quilts are perfect for traveling in the car or carrying them with you as you take your baby from place to place.  They are airy so they are not too hot and made in the perfect size for the often premie babies the NICU is home too. 

The baby quilts are shared with families as they get closer to getting to take their baby's home with them. The beautiful quilts are perfect for traveling in the car or carrying them with you as you take your baby from place to place.  They are airy so they are not too hot and made in the perfect size for the often premie babies the NICU is home too.

And for those families who like us, were unable to bring home our baby, Nana creates the most beautiful Heavenly Slumber Sleepers for the babies who sleep among the stars in Heaven.  Nana and I have talked and she said it always is a feeling of mixed emotions as she makes these gifts because it means another family has suffered heart-ache and yet she hopes and prays that this gift can bring their family's comfort.

I know for us, Jarrett and I felt comfort in knowing Noah's body was wrapped in a beautiful sleeper made with complete love. His body, even in his final moments was wrapped in love.  That gave us peace and we hope other families find comfort in that too.

Noah's Kindness Project Care Coolers:
Last year we started the tradition of gifting coolers filled with all sorts of goodies in them to some of the families in the NICU.  The coolers were shared with small gifts like toothbrushes, toothpaste, chap stick, snacks, an ice pack and a journal.  We were given one when we were in the NICU and I still have that lunch pack today.  I often take it to work and it brings back memories of a time I'm so thankful I got with Noah and it serves as a reminder as to the kindness someone shared with me to help me in what was a very stressful time.

We gift the coolers with the treats as a way to help parents going back and forth between home, the NICU, and work.  The coolers also serve a second purpose in that they can be used for moms who are transporting their breast milk back and forth from home to the NICU.  We hope these gifts can bring some comfort and peace for the families.

Isabelle was a great help last year in packing them and is already excited about this year's efforts.  We've started to collect some supplies and she's already taken inventory for us!  I also wanted to mention I'm thankful for my friend Debbie and Cambell's Crew Cares for their donations to help pack the coolers with treats.  Thank you! 

Gifts for the always hard working healthcare professionals:

Of the several times now that I have been a patient at Banner, each experience has been unique and different and yet there is one constant.  That constant is that the people who provide care are exceptional and give their best day in and day out.  I've said in the past that I felt Banner Desert was a special place, and it is to me, not because of the structure, or the walls, the place itself... Banner Desert is a great place, because of all the people who make it great.  It is the nurses, the doctors, the respiratory therapists, even the custodial staff.  This time when I went into the hospital to be induced with Jennings, one of the custodial staff made eye contact with me as I walked into Labor and Delivery... they smiled and said, "Wishing you the best."  It is people like that, who go out of their way to provide service and care.  It is the people at Banner (and I"m sure the other hospitals and facilities across this world) that make us remember the place as special.

So to thank them for their continued service day after day, we bring treats to share.  Nothing compared to what they truly deserve, but tokens that hopefully will remind them that they are appreciated, their service does not go unnoticed and that they are valued.  It is one of my favorite parts of taking gifts back to Banner.

I love to see the familiar faces and those who showed us so much love and kindness.

Two of Noah's primary nurses who are now friends.  Melanie and Brandi, so thankful our lives were brought together. 

So back to Banner we will go. I'm excited, just typing this.

Until next time,

Angie

Feed My Starving Children- it's become a tradition now

Continuing with the food theme...

Last year we returned to Feed My Starving Children for a second time for  Noah's Kindness Project.  And just like the first time, we again had so much fun.  We were so thankful for all those who joined us for our group's efforts and in thinking about what to do this year, we felt called to go back again.

It is hard to describe the experience, simply put it is very humbling and moving.  Never before did I realize how many people in this world are dying from hunger.  Having food readily available is something I always take for granted.  Of the many concerning statistics they share, it is the one below that I find so concerning...

Today 6,200 children across the world will die from hunger related causes.

You read that correctly.

This makes me think of my children's elementary school and estimating that their school has approximately 1,000-1,200 students, it is so alarming that every day, this world will loose the equivalent of 5-6 elementary schools a day.  6,200 children.  How can this be?.  So sad and concerning.  Thankfully Feed My Starving Children is committed to doing something about this statistic to help lower those sad statistics and until those numbers keep inching closer to zero, we feel called to go back and help again.

Here are some pictures of our group volunteering last year during Noah's Kindness Project.  

The different packing stations.

   Their process is pretty simple... Volunteers sign up to help pack meals, people donate money to help fund the meal ingredients and meals are donated to FMSC food partners around the world.  Kids are fed and LIVES ARE SAVED!

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

1) SIGN UP TO HELP US PACK MEALS: 

So  here is how we plan to help.  We have reserved a group volunteer shift for Saturday afternoon from 2-4 p.m. in Mesa, AZ and we invite those who are available to join us for the Noah's Kindness  Project team.  If you are local and would like to be a part of our team to help pack meals, please sign up here.

2) DONATE TO HELP PURCHASE FOOD

If you are unable to help pack food, or are not local, but still feel called to participate in this act of kindness with  us, you can still help!  Because this group is a  non-profit and they have to purchase the ingredients for the meals, they ask for donations to help offset the cost of the food.  If you would like to donate to help provide meals, please visit their donation link here.  If you so choose, please check the box and mark that you are donating as a part of Noah's Kindness Project.  

3) or Do BOTH!

We hope you'll consider joining us for what will be a very moving and impactful experience.  Children who are 5 years or older are welcome to participate so bring your whole family if you'd like.  Please sign up today. 

Thank you and until next time,

Angie and Jarrett

St. Vincent de Paul Food Drive.

The gift of food was a tremendous help for us when we were pregnant with Noah and in the days after.  So many people brought us meals, provided nourishment for our family and shared loved through the gift of food, that we've always tried to incorporate giving food into every year's NKP. 

This year is no different.  We, along with the help of Campbell's Crew Cares are joining forces to collect food items to share with those who need it most.  Each day in this country thousands of Americans go hungry.  Men, Women and Children, and we know that this problem isn't just one confined to the United States.  The need to share food here in the valley is just as important.  According to St. Vincent de Paul, more than 468,000 families are in need across Arizona. They prepare and serve 4,000 meals in their five dining rooms every day. 

We invite you to join us.  There are a few ways you can help.  Our friends, Campbell's Crew Cares, recently met with the team from St. Vincent de Paul and learned that the way to make the biggest impact is to donate directly to the charity so they can purchase the items they most need for the cheapest discount.  For example, St. Vincent's can purchase canned items for .10 cents a can where often times we can purchase items for around .50 cents. 

So here's how you can participate:

1) If you'd like to collect food items and donate them directly, please either drop them off at our house, or contact us directly and we can pick them up from you.

Some of the most needed items include:

• non-perishable food items liked canned meats, canned fruits, canned vegetables, and canned soup

Non-food items in need:

• new tennis shoes,
• new socks
•  underwear
• toothbrushes/toothpaste
• diapers
• new or gently used blankets
• books

2) Donate to Campbell's Crew Cares: https://www.campbellscrew.com/ and in the subject line please list that it is for Noah's Kindness Project. Campbells Crew Cares will then track our groups efforts and donate directly to St. Vincent's.  Just think a donation of $20 will gift 200 cans of food to help multiple families.

And out of the kindness of their hearts, Campbell's Crew Cares shared with me recently that anyone from Noah's Kindness Project who donates at least a $20.00 donation to St. Vincent de Paul through their website will have their name entered in a drawing for a personalized Campbells Crew Cares baseball bat. One entry per $20.00 donated.

This is my friend Campbell and he is one incredible young man.  To read more about his story and his family, please visit his charity's website:https://www.campbellscrew.com

Please donate anytime between now and September 28.  

We will collect any food items you'd like to donate as well through September 28 and plan to delivery the collected items on the Monday following NKP.  

Thank you for helping us make a difference!

Until next time,

Angie

NKP races for Heroes in Health Care Fun Run...

For the past few years, one of the highlights we've found many (including our kids) have enjoyed has been a fun run.  As a part of Noah's Kindness Project we've participated in a race to prevent human trafficking, a breast cancer awareness race, and a race to benefit Phoenix Children's Hospital.  This year we are excited to share that as a part of Noah's Kindness Project 2019, we plan to participate in the 2019 Heroes In Healthcare Fun Run!



This race benefits a variety of causes which your race registration goes to help support AND if you'd like you can fundraise to contribute even more dollars to a cause you can select to benefit.  The race supports health care related causes in the east valley.

Please consider joining us bright and early on Saturday, September 28 at Freestone Park in Gilbert, AZ.  This race has a distance option that suites everyone, including a 5k Run/Walk, a 1 mile race and a kids dash of 100 yards.

For more information about the run please visit:
https://www.supportdignityhealtheastvalley.org/news/calling-all-runners

To register for the event, please visit:

https://raceroster.com/events/2019/24371/heroes-in-health-care-5k-fun-run 

To register for our Noah's Kindness Project team please use the following instructions:

1) From the main registration page please click 'Register' on the far right.

2) On the next page, select which distance you would like to register for.

3) Complete the 'Personal Information' and 'Questions' sections.

4)  To join Noah's Kindness Project team, please select the 3rd option 'Yes, add this registrant to a team" and then from the drop down menu select Noah's Kindness Project.

5) Complete the remainder of your registration.

That's it!

Pre-race photo!

Here are some of the race details found on their website:

Join us on Saturday, September 28th

• 6:00 am - Registration 
• 7:00 am - Super Heroes 5K Run/Walk Begins 
• 7:10 am - F.A.S.T. 1 Mile Run/Walk Begins 
• 7:20 am - Kids Dash 100 Yard Begins 
• 8:15 am - Awards Ceremony (approx.) 

What You Get 

• Custom Event Medal 
• Custom Event Dri-FIT T-Shirt 
• Age Group Awards for Top Three in all Age Groups (in the 5k run)
• Pre- and Post-Race “Runner’s Brunch” (bagels, fruit, water, Gatorade, etc.)
• Real Time Results and Photos on Website or Mobile App (on Apple and Google) Course set and marked by the professional race management team at StartLine Racing to maximize your experience!Satisfaction of helping patients.

The event will take place at Freestone Park - 1045 E Juniper Ave, Gilbert, AZ 85234

To register for the event, please visit:
https://raceroster.com/events/2019/24371/heroes-in-health-care-5k-fun-run 
and search for our team: Noah's Kindness Project.

We hope you will consider joining us bright and early for some racing fun!

Thank you!
Angie and Jarrett