Katie's Story

“How will Santa get into the hospital, Mom?” This is the question that would be asked many times after my daughter (only three at the time!) was hospitalized over Christmas, 2003.

As you might imagine, hospitals can be very scary and lonely for little kids, but never more so than during the holidays. While at the hospital with my daughter, I heard other kids asking the same question. But I realized the kids weren’t really looking for Santa. They were looking for HOPE. They wanted to know that someone out there somewhere was thinking about them!

So when Katie asked me how Santa would get in for the hundredth time, I said, “Would you like to be Santa next year?” She smiled broadly, and that was the beginning of Katie’s Heart.

Each year, I watch as my daughter recruits new businesses to host a HOPE donation box. Each year, her simple vision becomes larger and larger. And I see the smiles as she goes to each and every hospital room with her Santa hat on….placing the toys directly into the hands of sick children from every walk of life. Each toy makes a difference.

We are always in need of new toys to keep our mission alive. If you would like to host a HOPE Collection Box, or simply donate a toy, please contact us!

Giving Hope....... One Child at a Time.

We need your help!  Contact Us RIGHT Now!

520 981-0204

dottie.sutherland@pima.edu

Who We Are:

Katie’s Heart is a unique organization dedicated to providing new and unused toys to children in the hospital during the holidays. Since our inception, in 2004, we have collected and donated over 1000 toys.

Our Mission:

Our mission is to inspire hope as we provide new toys to hospitalized children over the holiday season.

Our Purpose:

Our purpose is to bring hope in the form of a single toy. We believe that one single toy can inspire hope while building compassion and awareness in our community.

 

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