Fundraisers for Nimkee Blessings

Melissa, project leader of Nimkee Blessings, also had a yard sale fundraiser this past month. All items sold were donated by others and all proceeds are benefiting Nimkee Blessings.

This yard sale was sort of an impromptu fundraiser that fell into Melissa's lap. She says, "I decided to just allow people to make donations as they felt compelled to and didn't put prices on anything. It isn't my stuff to price, and I felt that as long as they knew it was for charity, they could be as generous as they wanted to be!"

Like Theresa, of Donny's Shining Light, mentioned about her yard sale, Melissa also feels that the yard sale fundraiser gave her a wonderful opportunity to share about Project Sweet Peas. Melissa said, "A lot of people were very interested and showed genuine compassion. I placed a couple of framed photos of Bennett on my table, alongside the plaster mold of his foot with his brothers' hands surrounding it, and was able to print off a few pages to put into a booklet that was shared with whomever wanted to take the time to look at it."

The yard sale will be on-going. She says, "I will try and keep it set up for as long as possible and also am willing to take in donated items from people that just have stuff to get rid of and don't want to host their own sale."

Melissa also explains, "We are still wanting to do a benefit concert in September." More details about this fundraiser to come later.

For more information on Nimkee Blessings visit the project's page on the PSP website by clicking here. Or contact Melissa at Melissa@projectsweetpeas.com.

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Donny's Shining Light Fundraiser Results

At the beginning of July we let you know about a fundraiser for Donny's Shining Light (you can read the post here), and now we'd like to share the results of that fundraiser with you!

This yard sale was the first fundraiser for Donny's Shining Light. Here are some of Theresa's thoughts on it:

"Yard sales are a lot of work...whew! However it was all worth it! I know I touched a lot of people's hearts as I told them about my son and about Project Sweet Peas. I received a genuine hug from one mom who kept saying how sorry she was... She was so nice. Had one lady take a business card and flyer and tell me she would copy it and pass them out at her church. How sweet of her. Had some people, after they heard exactly why I was having this yard sale, put money in my bottle banks I had on the table. I thanked them a lot!...I even met with a mom who lost a baby herself. She, along with many others, were very thankful towards me for delivering gift bags to families that have babies in the NICU. They said how nice it was of me. I, in return, said I do it because I know the road they are on. I do it in my son's memory. I feel so good about doing this. It is such a feeling to say to the world 'this is my son. He lived. He is loved every day. He brings us joy. It is through him that we spread love to others.'"

The yard sale was a success in more ways than one and raised over $450 for Donny's Shining Light!

The fundraiser went so well that Theresa plans on doing another yard sale fundraiser for Donny's Shining Light with her mom in September.

Here are some pictures from the event:

(Donny's Light Shining Down)

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Kiernan's Kindness Delivers!

Kiernan's Kindness donates gift bags to St. Joesph's NICU and Scottsdale Shea's PICU in Arizona and is led by Julie, Kiernan's mom, and co-led by Danielle. In total this past week, Kiernan's Kindness donated 65 bags to the two hospitals thanks to the help of the Pepsi Refresh grant!! Here are the bags waiting to be delivered:

On July 22nd, Kiernan's Kindness made their first delivery to Scottsdale Shea Hospital (where Danielle's son spent time at in the PICU). They were able to donate 26 long term bags, 5 breastfeeding bags and 2 item specific bags.

Here is a picture of Kiernan with some of the bags that were donated:

Julie had these words to say about the first day of deliveries: "[The hospital has] a 26 bed level 3 NICU so they don't get a lot of publicity or outside help since they are a smaller NICU. It was an amazing delivery. They took us directly into the NICU and I got to hand deliver 2 bags to 2 families of preemies. The first one I met was a mom who's husband had to move to Georgia without her while the baby is here in the NICU. She was born at 24 weeks and.... lost her twin at 6 weeks gestation....The strength of this mother was just tremendous and to know that I got to give her this gift of support from us was HUGE...This mom was so greatful and over joyed with just the simple fact of getting a PSP bag. Kiernan got to go with me and get his picture taken with the babies. He would NOT stop staring and smiling at them. It was almost like he just knew something we didn't....I cannot tell you the amazing feeling it was to do this today."

Here is a picture of Julie & Kiernan delivering a bag to one of the mom's and her baby:

Kiernan's Kindness made their other delivery to St. Joseph's (where Kiernan spent time at), and they were able to donate 34 bags. They had another amazing experience with this delivery. Below is an excerpt from an article written by St. Joseph's Hospital about the deliveries (to view it in its entirety on their website click here):

"Family donates to support families with children in the ICU

Julie, Kory, and Kiernan Leonard of Gilbert recently donated Project Sweet Pea bags to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center.

The Leonards spent time at St. Joseph’s when their son, Kiernan, was born on August 20, 2008 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and a chromosomal defect. Kiernan spent nearly a month in intensive care at St. Joseph’s, with his family by his side. The Leonards said despite the trying situation, their experience with the staff at St. Joseph’s during this difficult time was great. After leaving the hospital, they wanted to find a way to support other families going through similar situations..."

For more information on Kiernan's Kindess please visit its page on the Project Sweet Pea website by clicking here.

Last but not least, Kiernan's Kindness was also featured in the local paper for their recent deliveries thanks in part to the Pepsi Refresh grant money. Here are two pictures of the article (click the image for a larger view):

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Pepsi Refresh Winner: Project Sweet Peas - ABC News

This morning at 7:32am Central time, Sam Champion, of ABC's Good Morning America, made America aware of Project Sweet Peas! His segment covering us was short but beautiful! Sam did a wonderful job sharing about our project!

We have to admit that several of the project leaders were skeptical at first when hearing we might be featured on GMA, thinking it might be too good to be true, but we were more than overjoyed when we learned that this dream was going to become reality.

This project started because those involved personally know what it is like to have our babies in intensive care units. We know the unmet needs these parents and families whose babies are in intensive care units have, and we are happy to be able to give back to them and to bring them items they need as well as a touch of comfort.

Stephanie, project leader of Shelby's Sunshine, explained her feelings, "Watching GMA this morning made me tear up. After what all of us have gone through with our precious children, angels.....it touches my heart deeply to be able to give back to families that need support."

Julie, project leader of Kiernan's Kindness, also shared her feelings, "I was so excited when I learned we were going to be on GMA. Winning the Pepsi grant has opened up so many doors and opportunities for Project Sweet Peas. I could never have imagined that this would go so big so fast. I had hoped it would in years just never dreamed it would be only 1. Then seeing our bags and pictures of leaders and deliveries on NATIONAL television was unbelievable. It brought tears to my eyes. This is just the beginning, and we have come so far."

Julie and Stephanie's comments are reflected by many of the other project leaders. More and more wonderful things keep happening to Project Sweet Peas that are beyond most of our wildest dreams, and it's so awesome and touching for us to see Project Sweet Peas grow like this with national coverage. We are so thankful for all of the blessings being poured out on our project and for all of the support we've received from people like you!

Jeanne, co-leader of Gabriel's Gift, explains that one of the huge benefits of Project Sweet Peas winning the Pepsi Refresh grant and this media coverage is more people are offering to help out in different ways and are taking our cause more seriously. Jeanne explained that for her personally this has given her the push she needs to spread the word more and make more connections.

We all feel that this experience with GMA is a HUGE honor for Project Sweet Peas, and we all hope that this will help so many families with babies in the NICUs. Julie put it perfectly, "My hope for all the projects and Project Sweet Peas as a whole is that we continue to climb up and grow bigger and become well known among as many hospitals as possible and to be able to have multiple projects in every state and eventually every country. Yes it's a big dream, but I believe that every one of us has the drive and determination that makes anything possible. I love Project Sweet Peas and what we represent. Thank you everyone for making Project Sweet Peas what it is!"

To view the clip of Sam Champion, from Good Morning America, talking about Project Sweet Peas and the Pepsi Refresh Project please click the following link (this originally aired this morning, July 27th, at 7:32am Central Time):

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/pepsi-refresh-winner-project-sweet-peas-11257915

-Kristin

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Project Sweet Peas on GMA!

Project Sweet Peas is going to be featured on ABC's Good Morning America!!

Sam Champion will be covering our story the morning of Tuesday, July 27th. This is our first national media coverage, and we are so excited about it!

Be sure to tune in and watch!

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Shelby's Sunshine's Birthday Delivery

Project Sweet Peas is excited to let you know that another set of gift bags have been delivered!

Shelby's Sunshine delivered 30 bags to Saint Vincent's Hospital in Indiana on July 6, 2010. Stephanie, project leader of Shelby's Sunshine and proud mother of Shelby, who spent a few months in the NICU at Saint Vincent's in 2006, worked hard at making the delivery successful.

This delivery was extra special because it was in honor of Shelby's 4th birthday! What a wonderful way to celebrate and give back!

Here is a picture Stephanie took as she gathered donations for the bags.

This is a picture of Stephanie and the birthday girl, Shelby, getting ready to deliver their bags.


And here are special friends, Shelby and Caty.
For more information about Shelby's Sunshine and to read about Shelby's story, please visit the Shelby's Sunshine page on the Project Sweet Peas website.

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New Project Sweet Peas Pictures and Video!

View the "Sweet Memories from Project Sweet Peas" photo-slideshow. (This link will take you to the Project Sweet Peas Facebook page). It's a MUST see!

Here are a few of the AWESOME professional photos taken by Annie Kennedy (annie-kennedy.blogspot.com) and edited by Project Sweet Peas co-founder and local project leader, Kate! To see more pictures visit the Project Sweet Peas Facebook page!

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Donny's Shining Light Fundraiser Yard Sale

Donny's Shining Light donates gift bags to The University of Chicago Comer's Children's Hospital in Illinois. Teresa, the project leader for Donny's Shining Light, will be hosting a fundraiser yard sale at the end of this month.

Teresa will be handing out business cards and flyers to promote the yard sale as well as explain about Donny's Shining Light and Project Sweet Peas. She will also have yard sale signs posted and a monetary donation box set up. Five different families have generously donated items to be sold at the Donny's Shining Light Fundraiser Yard Sale.

Teresa explains, "I know to many people this might be just a plain old yard sale but to me it something a whole lot more. This is my very first chance to do a fundraiser in honor of my son and help other families because of his Shining Light!"

The fundraiser yard sale will be on July 23rd, 24th, and 25th.

For more information please email: Theresa@projectsweetpeas.com

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