As you can probably tell from my screen name Beauty Queens Mom, my daughters are, well, princesses and queens on any given day.
In fact, all three of us girls like anything that sparkles, just about anything that makes us feel extra fancy. When author Jane O’Connor came out with the Fancy Nancy book series for girls, it was as if she knew us – the accessories, the language (she always gives the common word and the fancy version e.g. purple is fancier as fuchsia) – we loved all of it.
Similarly, the first time I saw an article about a group of volunteers that made tutus and capes for children, I was totally drawn to it. Crafts…tutus…helping others…yes!!
There was a story in the local paper by one of my favorite columnists about this group called Emmy’s Heart where volunteers create tutus and crowns, capes and masks, to give that fancy, special feeling to children undergoing treatment for serious illnesses or disabilities (they caught the attention of NBC News, too!). Wow!
I learned that Connecticut is one of more than half a dozen local chapters already work across the country to deliver these magical accessories to kids who totally need a poufy, fancy boost and a smile. Here I was a mom with two daughters that love to dress up and love to make projects with me…I had to find out how and when we could help. I re-read the article and quickly emailed Emmy’s Heart.
The volunteers get together once or twice a month. With munchies and a love for crafts in common – my girls and I joined the crew last month in Wallingford on a Friday night. We were blown away by how beautiful the pieces were. These aren’t your average crowns and tutus (we’re girls so we didn’t look at the capes too much but I know they take good care of boys, too). Beautiful color combinations and the completed ones had flowers and gems attached to add the all-important bling bling a young princess would need. And guess what, it’s hard work! We were there for two hours and this rookie barely finished one tutu!
As you can imagine, my daughters and me all wondered about the delivery. With big smiles, my girls simultaneously asked “who gets to see the kids’ faces??” I love it. Not only do they get the point of helping others, they were curious about the ‘reward’ of seeing the recipients of these incredible gifts.
My husband and I have taken the girls to volunteer before. While that was a good experience at the nursing home, this non-profit group, Emmy’s Heart, has that extra bit of excitement for us because of our love for accessories and princess-like fanciness.
As much as we had fun that night, we couldn’t commit to this month’s gathering because of another engagement, so I also inquired if they needed any other kind of help. Fundraising and marketing is part of my professional self, so at their smiley request for ideas, I sent the group some suggestions.
After that night, I immediately went to Facebook. In my newsfeed, I now enjoy seeing the updates about the deliveries to Yale-New Haven Hospital and Smilow Cancer Hospital in addition to their other distributions of these goodies. I hope Emmy’s Heart is something we can continue to be involved with as I think they’re making such a difference and in a very tangible way that involves adults and kids.
I urge you to now satisfy your curiosity and check out their website – and Friend them on Facebook to keep up with events and news; I’m willing to bet multiplying the “Likes” on Facebook might give them leverage for future benefactors, too. Oh and did I mention, it looks like Brownies and Girl Scout troops can partner up with them, too?!
So, hats off (I mean, um, a sparkle and a queen-like wave) to Jaime, Sandy, and the other incredible gals and their daughters who work hard to make a difference for brave kids in Connecticut’s care.
Story: http://nhregister.com/articles/2012/04/21/life/doc4f92c9c055d25691794791.txt
Site: http://www.emmysheartct.org/ On the home page, you’ll see this announcement too: For every tutu or cape purchased, two (2) are made and donated to children in the hospital.
Fancy Nancy Books: http://www.fancynancyworld.com/
