December 2024 Newsletter

DECEMBER 2024 NEWSLETTER

Executive Director’s Message

This year has been a busy one as we continue our mission to support families with critically ill children. We provided direct financial assistance to 67 new families referred by our valued partners, including Cottage Health, Marian Regional Medical Center, Alpha Resource Center, CenCal Health, Family Service Agency, Tri-Counties Regional Center, UCLA, Stanford and a few pediatric specialists. In addition to new families, we continued to serve families from 2023 with continued contact and case management support. We are deeply grateful for these relationships, united in the shared goal of helping children heal. A little bit about this year’s families:

86% are 0-3 years of age

77% live in North County

$32,690 is the 2024 Average Family Annual Income

26% Born Prematurely, 17% Neurological Disorders,

14% Blood/Renal Disorders, 12% Genetic Defects,

11% Congenital Heart Defects

In just 3 years, we have provided over $193,000 in direct financial assistance to 147 families. We helped families pay their rent, vehicle repairs, auto insurance, hotel expenses, gas and grocery cards when traveling, and many diapers/wipes.

Thank you for your incredible generosity, which has enabled us to support many new families and make a meaningful difference in their journey.

On December 6th, we were humbled and honored to be among some amazing people in our community as we were awarded The Emerging Non-Profit of the Year by the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce. It was a beautiful and heartfelt evening and we are grateful to be noticed for the difference we are making.

In May we moved out of our homes and into an office space! Please update our contact information and if you’re in the area, stop by and say “hi”.

5276 Hollister Ave. #405

Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 679-5505

In January we will open an office in North County to serve the large population that live there and need our services.

Wishing you and your loved ones a season filled with joy, love, and peace. Thank you for making a difference!

Gratefully yours,

Vivian Solodkin

Founder & Executive Director

Make a Difference Today!

Join Us for the 3rd Annual Luncheon

Our Third Annual Hearts to Hearts Valentine’s Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm at the beautiful Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara.

Get your tickets NOW!

If you have an item to donate for our silent auction,

contact Brigitte@heartsaligned.org or (805) 453-7484.

Buy Tickets

Meet Francisco

A year ago, Baby Francisco entered the world prematurely at Cottage Hospital, facing a daunting medical challenge: he was born with gastroschisis, a condition where his intestines were outside his body. In the first three months of his life, Francisco underwent four major surgeries to address this critical issue.

For Francisco’s parents, this was a time of overwhelming stress and uncertainty. With a three-year-old child at home over an hour away, they struggled to balance their responsibilities while navigating Francisco’s complex medical journey. Each time their newborn was wheeled away to surgery, they grappled with fear and worry, unsure of what the outcome might be.

Hearts Aligned became part of this family’s story shortly after Francisco’s birth. Understanding the immense challenges they faced; we stepped in to provide support. We helped cover travel expenses with gas and grocery cards, and we assisted with car payments to ensure they could make the trips to the hospital without added financial strain.

Today, we are thrilled to share that Francisco recently celebrated his first birthday and is doing well! His journey has been nothing short of remarkable, and we are honored to have played a role in supporting his family during such a traumatic time. Stories like Francisco’s remind us why we do what we do—to make a difference when families need it most.

It’s Not Too Late to Donate!

As we approach the close of another year, we’re filled with gratitude for the incredible support you’ve shown to Hearts Aligned. Together, we’ve made meaningful differences in the lives of critically ill children and their families across Santa Barbara County.

But the need remains great. Many families are still struggling to navigate the financial and emotional challenges of caring for a critically ill child. That’s why your support is more crucial than ever.

With just days left in 2024, we invite you to join us in making a meaningful year-end gift.

Every dollar you donate stays right here in our community, creating hope and stability for families who need it most. And, if you give before December 31st, your contribution is tax deduction in 2024.

Please don’t wait—time is running out to make a difference this year. Click below to donate now:

Donate Now!

Hearts Aligned Inc. | 805-570-3155 | www.heartsaligned.org

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