During the month of November, Help-A-Heart will be putting the spotlight on various ways people support and donate to our organization throughout the year. Obviously, attending one of our annual fundraisers–the Celebration of Life Dinner & Silent Auction in June & the Superhero Heart Run in October–are two big ways you can further our cause! We also receive several cash donations online through our website or mailed to us throughout the year. However, we are humbled & encouraged by the unique ways some of our heart families & their friends choose to support us & wanted to make sure they know how much we appreciate these special gestures. We’ll be posting a few ideas a week as a part of our 30 Days of Thanks!
Photograph Above from left to right – Merlyn Wiese, Kiley Masters, Judy Kendzora, Co-Founder, Emily Graber, Jason & Addison Sweeney, Greg Gruenwald, Jacqueline Conley, Bill Belch & VP & CFO, Dan Kiefer
On October 3, 2018, our co-founder, Emily Graber, was asked to come to Sammons Financial Group in West Des Moines to pick up a ‘big check’ from them. We had no idea of the amount and were truly overwhelmed when it was $10,000. Thank you to Jason Sweeney & Sammons Financial Group for supporting Help-A-Heart in such a generous way!
Co-Founder Emily Graber, & Addie, Emily & Jason Sweeney
Day 1 of Thanks ~ Jason Sweeney & Sammons Financial Group
The company I work for has been very generous over the years and has consistently supported many great organizations. They sponsor the Bocce Ball event at the Special Olympics every year, myself and many other employees volunteer our time that day to help run the event. Big Brothers Big Sisters, Orchard Place, and Courage League are just a few others that they support. This year they decided to offer the opportunity for employees to nominate organizations which would be reviewed and possibly chosen for a donation.
I nominated Help-A-Heart as soon as I saw the informational email come through. Help-A-Heart has meant so much to our family over the years. We were lost when Addie first had her diagnosis in utero, we saw the fliers in the cardiologist office and took the opportunity to go to a support group meeting. We have felt so much support over the years and made many great friendships through Help-A-Heart. We received so much support during Addie’s 3 open heart surgeries. From gift cards, lunch, visits and other members reaching out and being available to talk to, ask questions of and just listen to us. They provide an amazing service to families going through a scary time in their lives, facing a new congenital heart disease diagnosis or their child’s open heart surgery. I was thrilled when I heard they were chosen for one of the awards and I’m excited about what the extra money will do to help serve more families.
Written by Jason Sweeney. Jason & Emily are the proud parents of their heart hero, Addison (6), & heart healthy daughter, Lily (5).
Emily Graber, Addie Sweeney & Dan Kiefer, VP & CFO
