Spark Your Heart - Past Service Projects
Mary Bridge Children's Hospital Visitation.
Mary Bridge Children's Hospital was established in 1955, through the perseverance of the dedicated women of the Tacoma Orthopedic Association (now the Mary Bridge Brigade). They were convinced of the need for a specialized health care center in Tacoma to serve the children of the South Puget Sound region.
Key funding came from the estate of Dr. Albert W. Bridge, a pioneer physician who practiced in Eatonville and Tacoma. The hospital was named for his mother.
Today, Mary Bridge has grown from being the only pediatric hospital in the South Sound dedicated to a comprehensive regional network of health services for children. From primary care to emergency services, from inpatient care to outpatient specialty clinics throughout the region, Mary Bridge Children's Hospital & Health Network specializes in meeting the health needs of kids.
Our children's hospital provides specialized pediatric care, equipment and facilities that aren't available in most communities.
This event is probably one of my favorites- next to working at Seattle Children's. I get to visit children and give them toys and crowns, and just spend time with them- something that is crucial for the well being and health of every child. These children are such an inspiration to me.
Volunteer day at Ronald McDonald House. June 2018
Many families travel far from home and spend several weeks or months to get treatment for their seriously ill or injured children – a long time to be away or to divide a family. And, for children facing a serious medical crisis, nothing seems scarier than not having mom and dad close by for love and support. A Ronald McDonald House provides a place for families to call home so they can stay close by their hospitalized child at little to no cost.
The Ronald McDonald Houses are built on the simple idea that nothing else should matter when a family is focused on the health of their child – not where they can afford to stay, where they will get their next meal or where they will lay their head at night to rest. We believe that when a child is hospitalized the love and support of family is as powerful as the strongest medicine prescribed.
Fundraiser for the MWSO & Hopelink Food Drive
April 2018
Spark Your Heart founder, Jillian, is also your new Miss Puget Sound 2018! Through Spark Your Heart, Jillian held a fundraiser in front of the Redmond Ridge QFC store to raise funds for the Miss Washington Scholarship Organization, supporting Miss Washington contestants through educational scholarships. Spark Your Heart also held a food drive for Hopelink, providing the community with various opportunities to serve!
Hopelink Food Drive
December 2017
Spark Your Heart has partnered with Hopelink to put together a "pop-up" donation location at the Re/Max Alliance location in Sammamish, WA. This donation location collected over 40lbs of food and toiletries throughout the month of December.
Tent City Donations
December 2013
Spark Your Heart inspired the community to come together and donate blankets, food, and toiletries to homeless individuals residing in Tent City 4 at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Sammamish, WA.
Project Reference: Open Community Request
Fundraising for Local Family
July-August 2013
Spark Your Heart inspired the community to come together to collect basic necessities for a local family who lost their home and belongings to a house fire. The community donated various items, including food, kitchen items like utensils and dishes, clothing, and gift cards/cash. The total amount of money donations delivered to the Follett Family was $4,500.
Project Reference: Community Need
www.patch.com/washington/redmond/follett-family-donation-page
Go Red For Women
February 2013
Did you know that February is American Heart Month? Through a partnership with Go Red for Women and Seattle Pacific University, Spark Your Heart conducted a week-long "scavenger hunt" on the SPU campus that included informational checkpoints for students, raising awareness of women's heart health.
Toy Drive for Seattle Children's Hospital
May 2013
Child Psychology teacher at Redmond High School, Heather Chadwick, partnered with Spark Your Heart to hold a toy drive for Seattle Children's Hospital. Mrs. Chadwick's students worked to collect over 300 toy donations!
Project Reference: Request
Mary Bridge Children's Hospital Visit
December 2012
Through Spark Your Heart, Miss Washington International 2013 was able to visit children at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital, sharing crowns and wands with patients in various inpatient settings to brighten their day!
Build-a-Bear Donation
September 2012
High School student, Asya Lee, was inspired by Spark Your Heart and decided to partner with us to create bears and stuffed animals to donate to Seattle Children's Hospital!
Project Reference: Request
Build-a-Bear for Christian's 30th Birthday Wish!
May 2012
Christian Duhamel was inspired by Spark Your Heart to hold a teddy bear and stuffed animal drive for his 30th birthday at Build-a-Bear Workshop in Bellevue, WA. All donations made at the workshop were delivered to Seattle Children's Hospital!
Project Reference: Request
Harbor Crest Hospital Clothing Collection
May 2012
Spark Your Heart partnered with the community to collect infant clothing for infants ages 0-3 months to donate to expectant mothers in need through a program at Harbor Crest Hospital. A total of 58 gently used items were collected, along with 30 new baby items, 6 containers of formula, baby food, a large box of newborn diapers, and a bouncer/rocker.
Project Reference: Request
Speaking Opportunity: Seattle Union Gospel Mission Benefit
April 2012
Jillian attended the Seattle Union Gospel Mission Jazz Fest Benefit at Matthew's Winery in Woodinville, WA on behalf of Spark Your Heart to speak about the importance of empowering today's youth to make a difference in their communities.
Project Reference: Requested by Seattle Pacific University and Matthew's Winery
Spanish Letters & Care Packages
March 2012
Redmond High School's Spanish Club, under the direction of Ms. Ashley Raji and Ms. Linda Shadley, partnered with Spark Your Heart to collect hundreds of items for care packages and write letters to servicemen and women. The team packed 14 support boxes full of magazines, snacks, toiletries, and other essentials, which along with the letters touched the lives of over 150 Marines. Some servicemen and women even responded to our letters/packages with thanks!
Project Reference: Thank you to anysoldier.com for making this pairing possible! www.anysoldier.com
www.patch.com/washington/redmond/rhs-spanish-class-reaches-out-to-marines-for-class-project
Speaking Opportunity: Expanding Your Horizons Workshop
March 24, 2012
Jillian spoke on behalf of Spark Your Heart at the 30th annual Expanding Your Horizons Workshop at Bellevue College to empower young women and promote the importance of being involved in and giving back to your community.
Project Reference: Requested by Expanding Your Horizons Network www.eyhn.org
Letters to USS Carl Vinson
2011
During the 2011 school year, Spark Your Heart inspired the Redmond High School Cheerleading team to give back by writing thankful and encouraging letters to servicemen and women serving on the USS Carl Vinson.
Project Reference: Request
Hats Off for Cancer Hat Drive
2011
Spark Your Heart collaborated with the Redmond chapter of Girl Talk, owned and led by Jillian, as well as Hats Off For Cancer. The Girl Talk group worked to collect numerous hats for those battling cancer and ended up gathering 36 hats total!
Project Reference: Thank you to Hats Off for Cancer for helping make this opportunity possible! (www.hatsoffforcancer.org)
Change for Adoption Drive
2011
Spark Your Heart partnered with Redmond's chapter of Girl Talk, owned and led by Jillian, to collect change for local adoption agencies in Washington.
Race for the Cure
2011 and 2012
Jillian's Redmond chapter of Girl Talk was inspired to walk together in the 2011 Race for the Cure. In 2012, Jillian and her mom decided to run in the race! Involvement included raising awareness of the organization through social media.
Hopelink Food Drive
2011
Spark Your Heart partnered with Chaplin's VW in Bellevue, WA to collect non-perishable food items for Hopelink.
Project Reference: Request
Random Act of Holiday Joy for Fairwinds Residents
December 2011
Spark Your Heart and the Redmond chapter of Girl Talk constructed over 135 hand-written notes paired with candy canes to deliver to residents at Fairwinds Retirement Center in Redmond, WA for the holidays.
Teddy Bear Drive and Stella & Dot Fundraiser
November 2011
Spark Your Heart in collaboration with the Redmond chapter of Girl Talk held a teddy bear drive and Stella & Dot fundraiser at Sorrento's Coffee in Redmond, WA. Approximately 45 teddy bear and stuffed animal donations were brought to Seattle Children's Hospital, and a portion of the proceeds from Stella & Dot sales funded uncompensated care through the Spark Your Little Heart Guild with Seattle Children's Hospital.