Why are we doing this?

I wanted to share just one use of the funds being raised here as outreach by DSACO. Many DSACO parents face many days and nights at hospitals.

"We send Care Packages to families who have extended stays at Nationwide Children's Hospital. The bags include $20 in gift cards to the cafeteria, a $20 pizza gift card, toiletries, a super soft blanket, tissues that you would actually use (the ones in the hospital are like tissue paper rather than tissues), a planning calendar/organizer, and other activities (crossword puzzle books, a deck of cards, etc). This new program is very expensive, but very well-received. We don't have a special "fundraiser" for it, so general donations (like the ones you're getting for us!) help fund things like this. Last year we provided almost 100 bags to families who spent at least 3 days (usually much, much more) in Children's." 

Here are a couple of sound bites from parents who wrote us after receiving a package:

"Thank you so much for the care package we received while Molly was in the hospital. Everything. And I mean everything came in handy. Down to the small, plastic comb in the travel packet! Lol. I didn't have any toiletries with me that first night but didn't have to worry about bringing any of it in after that. The blanket? I felt like God sent it to me!!!! It was the best thing that felt like something from home and although I only got a couple hours of sleep each night, those couple hours felt good with that blanket!! Thank you thank you thank you!"

And another parent:

"Thank you so much for the DSACO gift bag during my 8 day stay with baby Hunter. Your calendar book helped me document everything doctors were telling me and keep track daily of what Hunter's body was doing even after we left. Every item in the bag was well thought out and sincerely appreciated."

Thanks for your support. 900 burpees today and 9000 done overall. A lot of work but when your WHY is strong amazing things can happen.