BNY Mellon employee volunteers and Tacoma school children will decorate SoaringQuilts® and SoaringPillows® and donate them to hundreds of hospitalized children in North America, including 30 children at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital.
Soaringwords (www.soaringwords.org) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower communities to support and inspire chronically ill children and their families to “Never give up!” Soaringwords was honored by Hands On Network and USA Weekend as a charity partner for this year’s national Make A Difference Day, the largest day of volunteering in the U.S.
The Soaringwords event will take place on Oct. 22 at Jason Lee Middle School where local professionals from BNY Mellon will mentor students. Together, they will decorate quilts and pillows for hospitalized children, and then enjoy an exhilarating Dance Jam lead by Candi Hall, DASH School.
Each year it is estimated that 18 percent of all children in the U.S. suffer from chronic illness (Source: American Academy of Pediatrics). This means that over 22 million children, 70 million parents and siblings, 66 million grandparents, 132 million extended family members and 275 neighbors, classmates, and friends all face the challenges of catastrophic illness.
Lisa Honig Buksbaum, Soaringwords CEO & Founder, notes that “When a child is ill, his or her entire family is in crisis. Soaringwords’ unique focus on healing the child and his or her family and friends brings something totally new and needed.” She started the charity ten years ago after three experiences with death and illness in her family occurred in a 10-month period. Principal Jon Kellett said, “Our students are so proud to be able to create inspirational messages of hope to share with kids at name Hospital. This program supports our belief in strong values that support each child and our community at large.”
“Our patients and families are truly grateful for the gifts of support and encouragement from the BNY Mellon volunteers and students at Jason Lee Middle School,” said Julie Hertzog Child Life specialist at Mary Bridge. Throughout the year, adults and children volunteer to embrace ill children though innovative Soaringwords’ Hospital Outreach, Educational Outreach and Youth Leaders programs. To date, the charity has reached 250,000 children and their families.
Address: Jason Lee Middle School, 602 N. Sprague Ave. Tacoma, WA 98403
Event: 10-11 am decorating quilts & pillows; 11-12:15 dance jam; 12:50-1:30 Closing Awards/Sharing Circle, 2:30-3:30 hospital visit.
About Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital
Founded in 1955, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital is the only hospital in southwest Washington dedicated to caring for children. Designated by the state as the Level II Pediatric Trauma Center for the region, Mary Bridge offers comprehensive resources and expertise for critically ill or injured children through its pediatric critical care transport teams and helipad, emergency department, pediatric intensive care, and medical-surgical units. With its family-centered care philosophy, Mary Bridge provides services and accommodations for families in a child-friendly environment.