Sometimes we have small, but very special things that happen when people are touched by the stories of our Healing the Children kids. These are events and letters that warm the heart so we call them our Heartwarmers.

We love it when kids help kids. Fourth grade students of Dale DeWeerd at Ripon Christian School in Ripon, California did just that. They raised money as a Christmas project to donate to HTC to help bring a child for surgery. Where did we get such long coat tails? Dale has been a host big brother to the children hosted by his Mom and Dad here in Michigan. Dale was able to share the children's stories with his students, giving them a greater appreciation for their own healthy lives.

Students of Sally Labadie at Nellie Reed School in Michigan had a great time collecting goodies to send with a medical team to Colombia. They donated coloring books and crayons, small toys, and even Band-Aids for the children who were having surgeries. The medical team reported that the gifts were very much appreciated by the Colombian kids. Kids helping kids, what a great idea!

Paul & Donna Schonveld, veteran host parents and volleyball parents had the very bright idea of combining two loves, HTC and volleyball, using the latter to benefit the former. They organized a recognition event for the many young Kalamazoo area women who have excelled at volleyball and won college scholarships in their sport. Two of the Schonveld's daughters were there. The evening included exhibition volleyball games that were enjoyed by all. The best part was that all the proceeds were donated to Healing the Children.

Ana Cecelia from El Salvador had two very special reasons for wanting surgery to repair a heart defect. She wanted to be able to walk to her grandmother's house to visit and she wanted to be able to walk to church to make her first communion. You see, the family had no car. When friends at Roger's department store in Grand Rapids, Michigan heard her story, they had a beautiful 1st communion dress delivered to her, so the long awaited event would be even more memorable. And Grandma is getting a lot of visits these days.

Dear Healing the Children,

There is a poverty in the English language that surfaced when I saw Nicole at the airport on her return. The sick sapling that had left us returned as a sturdy oak. Her mother wept, the escort wept, and we all drowned with emotion. Nature does not give us too many days like this. We could not stand it. Nicole gave us many anxious moments, but the joy of that afternoon eclipsed all that went before.

We are deeply thankful for the good that you have given to her and all the other patients that you have accepted from us. The river of appreciation runs deep, so deep that a reservoir of goodwill will ever remain for you in my little corner of Jamaica where those who you have helped enjoy the sunlight where before clouds of uncertainly covered their future. Thanks and again thanks and once again thanks.

With my warmest personal regards,
William A. Foster, M.D.

Healing the Children
2140 44th Street SE Ste 105 • Grand Rapids, MI 49508
616.281.6972 • Fax 616.281.6973
[email protected]