Season Changes!

Matthew and friends at the
Danbury Whalers Game

CHANGING SEASONS AT MATTHEW'S HEARTS OF HOPE
Something I love about living in the Northeast are the season changes.  Each season is almost bitter sweet - sadness for leaving behind what we have known and become comfortable with the excitement of moving forward to something new with a new-found wisdom. 

Matthew is moving into a new season in his life as well.  He has graduated from PreK after three years and will be starting Kindergarten in August. Mike and I have both been a little emotional about this one but we have encouraged Matthew to embrace this transition as he has all other things in his life with excitement and enthusiasm for the future.

HOCKEY!

Matthew throwing the puck out
at the Danbury Whaler's Game

It was all about hockey this winter!  Matthew's Hearts of Hope
partnered up with two hockey teams, The Danbury Whalers and The Bridgeport Sound Tigers for fundraising events that were fun for everyone and we were able to raise over $2,000 for CHD research.  We would like to thank The New Milford Knights of Columbus for their contributions and support.  We could not have done it without you. 

HUG A HEART PILLOW PROJECTS
Matthew's Hearts of Hope hosted three “Hug a Heart Pillow” Projects over the last 6 months.  

The first was hosted by The Kids Care Club in New Fairfield.  Thanks to Paula Flowers for coordinating that event.  

The second was our annual pillow stuffing party at The Sherman School on February 20^th. Unfortunately we had to reschedule due to inclement weather but we were able to stuff ____ pillows despite the altered schedule.  We even received our proclamation from First Selectman Clay Cope and enjoyed a visit from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers mascot.  Fun was had by all.  

Students at Academy of Our Lady
with the New Jersey Devils mascot.

Finally, on March 24th, we spent the day with students from The Academy of Our Lady in Glen Rock, New Jersey.  Over 500 pillows were stuffed with Polyfill, with a lot of love and a little hope for CHD warriors who like Matthew undergo open heart surgery. 

Thank you to Fairfield Processing who donate all the polyfill, Clothing labels4U who donate all the labels, and JoAnn Fabric for the discounted soft flannel fabric. Also a big thank you to all the volunteers who help pre sew all the pillows and then sew them closed also. We would not be able to do all this without all your help. 

New F airfield High School
Sewing Class

We would also like to thank The Sewing Class at New Fairfield High School who cut, pre-sewed, stuffed and sewed closed over 50 pillows. We received 100 Heart Hero Capes to go with our “Hug a Heart” Pillows thanks to generosity of Junkluggers an organization out of Fairfield, CT.  We will be making a delivery on July 16^th to Children’s Hospital of New York and we are looking forward to putting some smiles on the faces of some tough CHD Warriors!

OUR NEW WEBSITE

Our new look!  We hope you enjoy the new look or our Matthew's Hearts of Hope website.  We are so excited about it and we could not have done it without the help of Steve from PC Guys and Board member Amy Bocompani.  Hats off to both Steve & Amy for a job well done!  Check us out!  www.matthewsheartsofhope.org 

MATTHEW VISITS COLUMBIA
In May Matthew battled a tummy bug that landed him in the hospital for two days with dehydration.  It was a subtle reminder that he is vulnerable and can get into trouble very easily. We had some “downtime” together which was nice and he is back to his happy self again. Matthew faces a Cardiac Cath on July 30^th to take a look at how everything is on the inside of his heart after his Fontan three years ago.  Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

THANK YOU FOR THINKING OF US

Lawrence Rice,
Grand Knight Tim Haas,
 myself & Matthew

On June 13^th Tim Haas, Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus in Newtown, stepped down from his position and to honor him, Matthew’s Hearts of Hope was presented with a $500 check in his name in appreciation for his dedication and hard work during a very difficult time in their community - the Sandy Hook shooting event on December 14^th where 20 children and six teachers lost their lives! We are blessed to call Tim a friend and appreciate the support from the KOC in Newtown where Matthew’s friend Faith’s parents and grandparents live.

Also, Melissa Ann is a CHD Mom in Connecticut who made arrangements at her husband’s High School Reunion two weeks ago to host a raffle, all the proceeds of which are coming to Matthew’s Hearts of Hope. Great Job Melissa, your support is greatly appreciated!

THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING

Lastly, one of my all-time favorite books to read is “The Power of Positive Thinking” written by Norman Vincent Peale. I go back to it all the time!  I am blessed to call his granddaughter Katie Berlandi of Sherman my friend and she recently dedicated a whole blog post titled “Find a Need and Fill it” to the work of Matthew’s Hearts of Hope. I look at the picture in the blog post and many memories of a stressful time in my life come flooding back, this was the first time I got to hold Matthew after he was born, I was scared of the road ahead but tapped into my Faith and Positive Attitude that all would be OK!  I could never have imagined the amazing journey I have been on with him and Matthew’s Hearts of Hope, I feel so honored and blessed to be here making a difference! See the blog post below

http://www.guideposts.org/blogs/positive-outreach/find-a-need-and-fill-it

As always, I am grateful for your love and support on this journey with Matthew, we are making a difference because of it!

The Fundraising Committee is full steam ahead with our 4^th Annual “Giving from the Heart” Gala which will be held on Saturday, September 27^th at Anthony’s Lake Club in Danbury, I hope to see many of you there for what promises to be another wonderful evening for our great cause!

Happy Summer,

Marie