January 17, 2022: A Look Back at 2021
While 2021 may not have provided a large step toward normalcy, it did offer a small step in the right direction…
The hospitals we partner with have returned to offering more elective surgeries and procedures that were delayed due to the start of the pandemic. This has meant more children, more procedures, and more toys needed than ever!
NEW PARTNERSHIP!
Earlier this year, we started a new partnership with the University of MN Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. We placed 2 Bravery Boxes at the Discovery Clinic, an out patient clinic that serves children with a wide variety of health conditions. The children seen at the Discovery Clinic often have ongoing treatments that are very difficult or uncomfortable are require regular frequent visits. Knowing there is a reward at the end of their visit has helped them face their fears with courage. A huge thanks to our donors for making their journey a little easier to walk!
CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP AT CHILDREN’S MN
At Children’s MN we continue what has become an amazing partnership. We have settled into what seems like a reasonable and predictable pace with deliveries and provide about 400 - 500 toys every 6 weeks or so. We have 9 boxes that serve the Cardiovascular ICU, the Pediatric ICU, the Surgical and Procedural Services Unit, and the Cardiac Prep and Recovery Area (PAR4). Our family has the honor of putting the donations together from our storage room and as we handle each item our donors have picked out, we are filled with the hope that it can bring joy to a child in the hospital.
Here is one of the 9 Bravery Boxes that is located at Children’s MN. This one is used the the CVICU for children who have heart conditions that require monitoring or surgery. These children spend several days to several weeks or more on this floor. The Bravery Box offers a fun reward for these brave patients.
WHAT YOUR SUPPORT MEANS FOR US
We want you to know that when a toy arrives at our door, we love opening each package and seeing what you have selected. You help us to stay young at heart as we envision the fun it will bring to whoever picks it from the bravery box. Your gifts not only serve the patients they are intended for, but they also continue to help our family through our grief as we remember Andrew.
We sort and keep all of the donations in our storage room until hospitals are ready for refills. Hospitals have limited storage, so keeping the toys on hand helps them manage their limited space and also ensures that we can supply a good variety of items for all children - no matter their gender, race, ethnicity, age or interests.
Your financial donations also go a long way in ensuring we continue to reward bravery. When you give to Andrew’s Bravery Box, it allows us to restock our storage room as needed. We shop for items throughout the year, but we have the most fun at the holidays taking advantage of the deals we find on toys and fun items. This December, we discovered that Fleet Farm has a maximum number of items they can ring up in one transaction! We didn’t see what it was, but we found out the hard way that it was there. Thankfully, the staff helping us check out with our cartloads of toys stayed positive and made the purchase happen by re-ringing all of those items a 2nd time. We made similar trips to Target and also made a few specific purchases online that the Child Life staff suggested. Rest assured that your monetary donations are helping support our mission!
Shopping Spree at Target with the Sjostrand Family! We love letting the kids pick items out!
Thanks to Fleet Farm and the Matthias Family for your help!
At the University of MN Masonic Children’s Hospital, our bravery boxes help children at the Discovery Clinic.
The impact you are making in the lives of children is a significant one.
Positive experiences lead to positive outcomes. The power of a person’s attitude has a tremendous effect on how effective treatments and procedures can be. By helping us continue our mission to reward bravery, you are helping to create a positive experience that children can associate with their health journey. Thank you for your continued support!
