Need 600 New Stuffed Animals!

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"As parents Giuseppe and I know what our goals and hopes are for Bianca as she matures. We also understand there will come a time when our goals and hopes are replaced with those she will create for herself . Our mission as her parents, decided before her birth, is to instill a heart of thanks and giving so that she excites in helping others and gives from an un-wanting heart throughout her life. We want her to know her greatest blessing is being a blessing."

It's May and I've got less than 5 weeks to get B's 3rd birthday party planned. This year the donation requested is new stuff animals. About 600 kids are admitted to the Peds Unit and ER at Hinsdale Hospital per year. How wonderful would it be to make sure each kid gets a stuffed animal to cuddle?

When I was 5 I had my tonsils removed at Hinsdale Hospital. I remember like it was yesterday receiving a stuffed cat from an elderly  volunteer when I was admitted. It didn't leave my side. When I first woke in recovery the first thing I did was grab for my cat. During the scary nights in my hospital room that stuffed animal provided the comfort a 5 year old away from home needed. I had that little stuffed cat until I went away to college! Click here to go to other posts about Bianca's Blessings

This year the Bianca's Blessings Gift Donation Drive will be blessing Hinsdale Hospital's Pediatric Ward. If you are interested in donating a New stuffed animal, please leave a comment with your email address and I will send you the mailing information.  Each animal will have a gift tag attached with your name listed as the proud Blessing Donor!  

If you are a company wanting to donate, please email me, kimd@themomstandard.com and I will reply with the PR you will receive for it!

"I'm bringing the kids presents"

On July 13th we loaded the car with a really big box full of toys, games, stuffed animals, and video and headed to Adventist Hinsdale Hospital's Pediatric Unit.

Its like Fort Knox getting into the unit so once the big doors opened Bianca pranced in and screamed "I'm bringing the kids presents!" The nurses came running in delight and B was ready to distribute.

There was a write-up in the Hospital's newsletter about our annual donation, encouraging others to be blessings as well.

I'm excited for year 3. Better start planning that big bash! What theme should it be?

Setting up some of the goodies for a photo op.

Going to distribute a gift

Baby Noah getting a stuffed animal

The nurses told her to hold the baby's hand. She's trained not to touch babies' hands or faces. Confusion.

Bianca's Blessings Gift Donations

Bianca's Blessings Gift Donations Drive



June my daughter Bianca turns 2! So does Bianca's Blessings Gift Donation Drive!



Every day of these two years has been a blessing with her in our lives. Everyday we tell her how much she is loved and what a blessing she truly is. We try everyday to teach her right from wrong, good from bad, and compassion and love for others. Before she was born we decided that her birthdays were going to be celebrations of her blessings through being a blessing! And yes, the parties do include lots of Shortycake sweet treats!



We chose to work with the Hinsdale Hospital Foundation to coordinate the giving. Bianca was born at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital (as was my brother and my tonsils were taken out there when I was five!) so it only felt right to bless the foundation that blessed us with her! Here's some of what was included in the Foundation's newsletter which can give you a better understanding of our goal:

As parents Giuseppe and I know what our goals and hopes are for Bianca as she matures. We also understand there will come a time when our goals and hopes are replaced with those she will create for herself . Our mission as her parents, decided before her birth, is to instill a heart of thanks and giving so that she excites in helping others and gives from an un-wanting heart throughout her life. We want her to know her greatest blessing is being a blessing. What better time to start this life lesson than with her First Birthday Celebration!

Her invitations read as follow:



Bianca donated well over 6 shopping bags of needed items to Adventist Paulson Pediatric Rehabilitation Center. Far exceeding their expectations of a donation as well!

Bianca is blessed by family and friends,

it seems that their giving just never ends.



To pass on the blessings and open her heart

we have a tradition we can't wait to start.



The gift of your presence is more than enough,

but there are children at Paulson finding it rough.



Bring a developmental gift, the list is below,

and Bianca will bring them, her blessings to sow.

This year the Bianca's Blessings Gift Donation Drive will be blessing Hinsdale Hospital's Pediatric Ward. If you are interested in donating, please leave a comment with your email address and as soon as we get the list of needed items I can forward them on to you.





We will be accepting donations from now thru July 3, 2010.