Broken Hearts Share Event with The Red Elephant

Broken Hearts of the Big Bend held a Share Event today with The Red Elephant restaurant. That means we told everyone we knew and asked them to tell everyone they knew to eat at The Red Elephant today and tell them they were there for the Share Event. We aren't sure yet how many people participated, but we'd estimate at least a couple of hundred! Yeah! A couple of hundred!

We're excited to see how much money we might have raised today for Broken Hearts. If you're wondering our money goes, it goes straight back to our families ... Parent Survival Kits (toiletries, tissues, candy, snacks, notepad and pen, magazines, puzzle books, small heart gifts); Children's Goody Bags (age-appropriate toys, crayons and books, games). We visit families in the PICU, whether they have short or long stays there. We have a Web site, and pages on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Delicious and ... this blog.

Our families are the most amazing parents and children ever. Not just because of the experiences they've had, but because they are all so willing to share their experiences with other parents. That helps so much. I think it not only helps the family "in need," it helps the parent who shares the story.

Just in the past few months, we have kids who have had heart transplants travel to see kids who have had recent transplants. We have an adult transplant survivor who is a wonderful role model and inspiration to our kids and to us parents. He's amazing. Our moms talk to each other and share their support, and always, it seems, when there's a mom who needs a listening ear, there's another mom who's been in that very spot, very willing to hear and help.

So often, our families say thank you to Kim and to me for what we do. And they don't even realize that all we do is set up a dinner -- it's our families who do what they do that make Broken Hearts of the Big Bend the incredible loving and supportive group that it is. Being around all of our families is like getting the biggest, warmest hug.

Thank you, Broken Hearts of the Big Bend families! It's all of you who are awesome, who are Angels on Earth!