JANUARY 2024 NEWSLETTER
WELCOME 2024
 
A new year gives us the chance to set new goals, make positive changes and to reflect on the past year. We had a year of growth in the number of families we served and the number of donors helping us serve those families. We thank you for making a difference and bringing hope to critically ill children and their families.
 
This past year, Hearts Aligned served 49 new families. In 2021-2022 we served 26 families – nearly double the number of families in 2023. The average annual income of the families we served was just under $30,000.
Of the children we supported, 76% were 0-3 years of age, 16% were 4-12 years, and 8% were 13-18 years of age. Of these children 93% had recent hospitalizations. The most common diagnosis of the children was premature birth (34 weeks gestation or less). However, many of the children were diagnosed with multiple conditions.
 
·       39% Premature (34 weeks gestation or less)
·       17% Diabetes/Endocrine disorders
·       11% Neurological conditions
·       9% Gastrointestinal
·       9% Genetic disorders
 
We have already started the year with 3 new families. We haven’t officially set a goal for 2024, however, we know we will surpass 50 new families as we continue to share our mission with the community. 
 
Cottage Health has been our main referral source (87%), and we are looking forward to honoring them at our 2nd Annual Hearts to Hearts Valentine’s Luncheon.
We ended 2023 with over $250,000 in revenue. We were awarded over $96,000 in foundation grants, $30,000 in individual donations, and raised over $100,000 from events. Without the support from the various sectors of the community, we would not have been able to serve almost 50 families this past year.
 
This year’s goals include bringing a community event together for our families with critically ill children, working with more pediatric medical professionals and organizations, and increasing awareness in our community.
 
Your support makes all of this possible! We hope to see you at our 2nd Annual Hearts to Hearts Valentine’s Luncheon!
 
 
Gratefully yours,
Vivian Solodkin
Founder & Executive Director
Holiday Grocery Gift Cards for Families of Critically and Chronically Ill Children
At the end of November we launched our Holiday Gift Card Drive in hopes of bringing $25 grocery gift cards to families. With your generous donations, we raised $2,350 and were able to provide $50 grocery gift cards to 47 families!
We drove to Santa Maria, Lompoc, Goleta and Santa Barbara delivering the good news of your generosity and gifts! All of the families were grateful and happy knowing that they would have food for the holidays.
We thank you for being generous, kind and supportive of our families that have critically ill children.
Friday, February 9, 2024, from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Cabrillo Pavilion, Santa Barbara
Tickets are selling fast! We hope you will join us at our 2nd Annual Hearts to Hearts Valentine’s Luncheon! We will bring you an amazing afternoon as we honor Cottage Health for their years of service to our community and their work as a Hearts Aligned partner. 
Thank you to our sponsors for this event!!
BRONZE
UNDERWRITERS
Sunstone Winery, Wine sponsor
Beatriz Herrera, Centerpiece sponsor
Bryant & Sons Jewelers, Invitations sponsor
Tri-Counties Make-A-Wish, Invitations sponsor
          
Tickets, Sponsorships & Underwriting opportunities are still available.
 
If you wish to join us as a sponsor or have an item to donate for our silent auction, contact Vivian at 805-570-3155 or vivian@heartsaligned.org
 
To purchase tickets or sponsorships visit us at
 Donate today…
 
As we begin 2024, we wish we could say everyone in our community has been helped, but there are many more critically ill children we have yet to meet, that can use our assistance. Please give hope to a critically ill child and their family by donating today.
 
Please join us on this journey!
Hearts Aligned Inc. | 805-570-3155 | www.heartsaligned.org