How Did it Start?
“How will Santa get into the hospital?” This is the question that would be asked many times after Founder, Katie Sutherland, (only three at the time) was hospitalized over the holidays in 2003. As you might imagine, hospitals can be very scary and lonely for little kids, but never more so than during the holidays. While in the hospital, Katie heard other kids asking the same question. Even at a young age, she 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. “Mom, I want to be Santa next year". That was the beginning of Katie's Heart.
Two decades later, Katie still recruits new businesses each year to host a HOPE donation box. Her simple vision grew and grew, and the reward is the smiles as she goes to each and every hospital room dressed as Elsa from "Frozen", Wonder Woman, or other popular characters. Every child matters. Each toy makes a difference.
What Do We Do?
Katie’s Heart provides HOPE Boxes to participating businesses where patrons can donate new toys. We gather the donations, prepare them, and make sure they’re hand-delivered to hospitalized children in desperate need of hope!
How Can I Help?
If you’re a business owner, you can host a HOPE Box, if you want to donate, we will have a list of all of the amazing businesses that host boxes on site. And you can always go HERE to donate financially to the ministry to help us continue to fulfill the dreams of bringing hope to all those kids who need it most.