Holiday Hearts

Share your love and open your hearts this holiday season…

The Barkann Family Healing Hearts Foundation would like to introduce your family, friends, and colleagues to our Holiday Hearts program.

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Support families through our Holiday Hearts program.

This year’s annual program began on Tuesday, October 19th. Please join our team as we look to provide financial assistance, gifts, and holiday cheer to families who need a boost during what should be a most special time of the year for everyone.

Monetary donations received will be given directly to the families and their children so our financial support can be visibly seen and felt during the most charitable time of the year – the holiday season!

Although, we will not be able to host a Holiday Hearts Party to deliver gifts to each family, we will be collecting gift cards and will provide a check for each family that the social workers we work with have referred to us.

These families are in need of our love and support as they have been through so much this year and are experiencing quite a bit of adversity during these challenging times for their family.

In addition to the Wish List that we have created for each family, we also are asking for our supporters to make a monetary Family Sponsorship in support of each of the Holiday Hearts Families.

Please share your love and open your hearts this holiday season by helping to put smiles on the faces of many children and provide financial support to their families.

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Holiday Hearts

Wish List Donations

Please join our team as we look to provide financial assistance, gifts, and holiday cheer to families who need a boost during what should be a most special time of the year for everyone.

Use the link below to choose items(s) that you wish to purchase for the family you are supporting through the Holiday Hearts program.

View Wish List

Family Sponsorships

In addition to the Wish Lists that we have created for each family, we also are asking for our supporters to make a monetary sponsorship in support of each of the Holiday Hearts Families.

Family Sponsorship - $200

Holiday Hearts Families

Click on a family below to read their story.

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Family #1

FL has been managing financial stressors for some time.

FL is a single mother to a 21-month-old who has severe asthma and breathing issues and is treated bi-weekly St. Christopher’s Children’s Hospital.

Mom learned that she is expecting again. Mom has done her due diligence to apply for benefits. She is still awaiting approval for TANF.

Mom worked more than full-time as a caretaker, working 10 hours per day. Unfortunately, her employer cut her hours to just 4 hours per day.

Given the current COVID climate and with becoming newly pregnant, Mom is having difficulty finding another source of income.

Mom has been a great self-advocate when we met and requested resources for food, job search, financial assistance organizations, diaper bank distribution centers, and home visitation programs.

Financial assistance will help this family as they prepare to welcome a new baby into their family in the coming weeks.

Mom will have a very difficult time providing gifts for her daughter this holiday season let alone paying her monthly bills.

Mom would like to thank everyone who supports her family through The Barkann Foundation’s Holiday Hearts program and was moved to tears when we let her know that she was one of the families that The Foundation would be supporting.

Family #1

FL has been managing financial stressors for some time.

FL is a single mother to a 21-month-old who has severe asthma and breathing issues and is treated bi-weekly St. Christopher’s Children’s Hospital.

Mom learned that she is expecting again. Mom has done her due diligence to apply for benefits. She is still awaiting approval for TANF. 

Mom worked more than full-time as a caretaker, working 10 hours per day. Unfortunately, her employer cut her hours to just 4 hours per day.

Given the current COVID climate and with becoming newly pregnant, Mom is having difficulty finding another source of income.

Mom has been a great self-advocate when we met and requested resources for food, job search, financial assistance organizations, diaper bank distribution centers, and home visitation programs.

Financial assistance will help this family as they prepare to welcome a new baby into their family in the coming weeks.

Mom will have a very difficult time providing gifts for her daughter this holiday season let alone paying her monthly bills.

Mom would like to thank everyone who supports her family through The Barkann Foundation’s Holiday Hearts program and was moved to tears when we let her know that she was one of the families that The Foundation would be supporting.

Family #2

AB is a 3 year old patient at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. AB is trach and vent dependent and has many medical diagnoses and needs. AB requires 24/7 supervision and care, her mother has been unable to work due to this.

Dad works for a paving company, but his work is seasonal so the holidays are always a difficult time for the family, financially.

This very special family is so happy to be supported this holiday season through The Barkann Foundation’s Holiday Hearts program.

Your love and support will allow Mom and Dad to focus their limited income during the winter months on household essentials and bills.

Not having to worry about affording gifts for the children this year would be of significant benefit to the family.

Family #3
E is 11 years old with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, CP, OSA with Bipap, and Scoliosis. E is being treated for his complex medical needs at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
 
E will need surgery for his scoliosis very soon and is expected to be hospitalized for quite some time along with a significant recovery period post surgery. 
Mom will likely be unable to work during that time due to the care E requires. This will allow the family some breathing room for the holidays, as E will likely be hospitalized for an extended period of time.
 
Depending on the timing of the surgery, E may also be hospitalized over the holidays and this would bring much joy to the family.
 
Thank you for supporting E and his family this holiday season through The Barkann Foundation’s Holiday Hearts program.
Family #4

T is a single mother. She and her son J are currently living in a shelter and have been there for several months.

T’s Mother, who has always been a huge help and part of T and J’s lives was recently placed in a nursing home.

J has a history of both autism and ADHD, in addition to other complex medical conditions. J is 7 years old and is being treated at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Mom is currently unemployed.

The financial support and gift cards that this family will receive through the Holiday Hearts program will allow for J and T to enjoy the holiday season and will help to decrease some of the financial and social stressors that they are currently faced with.

T is an amazing caregiver, advocate, and Mom. She always puts his needs first and has helped him to thrive.

This family truly deserves something extra special this holiday season.

Family #5

P is an almost 1 year old and has been hospitalized for 10 months after birth due to vocal cord paralysis and need for trach/ventilator support. The parents have a 4 year old who was also trach dependent until this past summer. 

P was discharged home to his parents two months ago. The medical needs of P and his older brother have had a significant impact of the family’s finances as mom has not been able to work due to P’s admission, multiple appointments and therapies.

The financial assistance and gift cards that this family will receive will allow for the family to celebrate the holidays this year.

The family really enjoys wrestling and would love to attend an event at the Wells Fargo Center.

P’s family are so grateful that you chose to support them through The Barkann Foundation’s Holiday Hearts program.

Family #6

Adoptive mother, age 63, adopted 6 children in total, with 4 still in the home. Two of her adopted children have complex medical issues.

J has chronic lung disease, requires CPAP, has seizures, is developmentally delayed and is g-tube fed.

M has a history of cerebral palsy, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, seizures, requires a wheelchair.

Adoptive Mom’s own medical issues have escalated in recent years, so she is now herself on disability due to significant orthopedic and other issues associated with diabetes.

Adoptive Mother prioritizes paying bills in order to maintain housing stability, etc, but there is little left over for extras. Adoptive Mom works hard to give the children “the safety and love they didn’t have before, a good home and a good environment.” She tries her best to ensure they have what they need for school, etc.

This family would never be able to afford these gifts and tickets without this assistance of The Barkann Foundation’s Holiday Hearts program. The only restaurant they’ve visited is McDonalds.

As the children grow, their needs become more expensive and harder to afford, including clothes, coats, shoes, personal hygiene items, school supplies.

This help will be an enormous relief exactly when this family most needs it.

Adoptive Mother was so moved to hear that this help might be possible! She’s so grateful!

We’re aware that she has a lot of needs, but she doesn’t generally ask for help or expect that this sort of help might be out there for her.

Family #7
D was born prematurely and spent 4 weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit before being discharged to home. As a result of his prematurity, D has some developmental delays and there was initial concerns related to his hearing and vision. He also had feeding difficulties and required tube feedings.
 
His mom and dad are younger parents and newlyweds and the situation was very stressful. Mom was employed as a home health aide and she also cares for other family members.
 
Despite the challenges, both parents remained fully committed in making sure he received the best care possible, taking him to multiple tests and specialty care appointments together whenever possible and following all his medical and therapy instructions/recommendations to make sure he continued to progress physically and developmentally.
 
D has made great strides in his development and feeding abilities over this past year, but he continues to need ongoing specialty care appointments (followed by 8 specialists) and therapies.
 
In addition, the family added their second child five months ago, (A), after a very difficult pregnancy.
 
Mom has decided to stop working (still assists with family caregiving) and provides full time care for the children, which became necessary- especially with juggling D’s care needs while caring for a new baby.
 
Dad is working, but their income is reduced and the trips to the hospital for tests, appointments and therapies are an added expense.
 
Mother always puts herself last and will go without things she needs to make sure the children have everything they need.
 
Dad is always trying to push her to take care of herself, but she is constantly struggling to make ends meet for the family and to provide “special experiences” for the children.
 
Mom has been saving to take Dion to the Camden Aquarium because he is currently fascinated with sharks.
 
Having financial assistance and the gift cards from the wonderful supporters from The Barkann Foundation will help them in getting food for the family and fall/winter clothes for the children while allowing them to get the children some gifts for the holidays.
 
In addition, if they could get to bring D to the Aquarium, it would be a special treat for them and allow the parents to put their saved money towards their monthly bills and hospital related expenses.
 
This is a young family working hard to do everything they can for their children, while under financial stress.
 
They are so appreciate of this referral to the Holiday Hearts program!
 
Parents have never asked for assistance, although we are well aware that they need it.
Family #8
K and C are two children from a very special family who have spina bifida and are treated by the team at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. 
The family has experienced much hardship as they spend much of their time helping their children in every way with their medical needs. Dad also has a chronic illness that results in hospitalizations.
 
Additionally, the family’s home caught fire this past summer and the family is living in a mobile home on their property while they await repairs to their home.
 
This is a family that has been through so much this year and were moved to tears when they found out that they were going to be supported through The Barkann Foundation’s Holiday Hearts program. 
 
The financial assistance that you will provide will allow this family to experience some much needed joy and happiness together this holiday season. 
 
Thank you for opening your hearts to this wonderful family who we’ve referred to The Barkann Foundation.
Family #9

Y is a wonderful Mom who has three children and one of her children has complex medical needs and is being treated by our team at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. This year has been especially tough year for Mom as she lost her Father to COVID-19.

Mom is only able to work part-time s she spends much of her time transporting her child to CHOP for several medical appointments on a weekly basis.

This is a family who has been through so much this year and yet continually remains positive through so much adversity that they have endured together.

Mom is so grateful that her family will be supported through The Barkann Foundation’s Holiday Hearts program, referred to The Foundation from the team at CHOP.

Thanks to all of you, Mom will be able to provide gifts for her children this holiday season which wouldn’t have been possible due to the financial hardships that this family has endured throughout the year.

Y’s Dad helped as much as he could, however his passing has impacted Mom not only emotionally but financially as well.

Thanks for helping such a special Mom who never asks for anything.

The Barkann Foundation’s supporters once again are providing the true meaning of the holiday season.

Family #10
C has autism and other complex medical diagnoses. C is 7 years old and receives continual treatments and care from our team at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Mother is facing significant financial hardship at this time. Mom is a single parent and cannot work outside the home as C does not have a nurse to accompany her to school.

Mom has tried to find a job working from home, but it is very challenging as she does all of C’s virtual learning with her during the day and does not get much rest as C requires overnight G tube feedings.
 
The financial assistance and gift cards  from the very special supporters from The Barkann Foundation will help alleviate some of Mom’s financial stress and enable her to give C a much happier holiday than she would otherwise have.
 
Mom was very emotional when we told her that she and C would be supported through the annual Holiday Hearts program. 
 
Thank you so much for providing CHOP the opportunity to refer a wonderful family.
 
C’s Mom has worked so hard to take care of her C and her extended family for so many years.
 
She does not complain, and she does not ask for financial assistance, but she certainly can really use it at this time. 
 
Thanks for bringing some much needed joy and happiness to this very deserving Mom and her beautiful daughter this holiday season.
Family #11
M has a family of six, in which three children have significant medical needs. The three youngest children all have a genetic condition that contributes to developmental delays, macrocephaly, tumor growth, and autism. The children see multiple specialists and the two youngest are in early intervention programs.
 
Mom and Dad are incredible advocates and caregivers for their children. The oldest sister also helps the family a great deal and often translates for her parents.
 
Mom is unable to work since caring for her children and getting them to medical appointments is a full-time job itself. Dad also takes off work for critical appointments, such as the youngest’s recent surgery. Mom has a car to transport the children to medical appointments, but the appointments are frequent and gas is expensive.
 
Your financial assistance this holiday season through The Barkann Foundation’s Holiday Hearts program would certainly have such a positive impact on this family.
 
Thank you for making that possible.
Family #12
IA has breast cancer and has been in active treatment for most of 2021. Mom has been a single parent since 2018, as the boys’ father lives in Indonesia and is unable to get a visa to return to the U.S. at this time.
One of the boys has autism. IA and her boys live with her parents.
Mom used to work full time and pay her parents rent, but has been unable to work more than one day per week for most of 2021 due to her cancer treatment.
IA’s parents have fallen behind on their mortgage due to IA’s decreased ability to contribute to the payments. They are all very stressed financially. IA was able to provide for her children very well before her illness.
Mom is now worried about her own health and the family’s financial hardship.
This financial assistance they will receive from The Barkann Foundation’s Holiday Hearts program will alleviate some of that stress and allow her to give the boys the kind of holiday season she would like for them to have.
It has been an overwhelming year for the entire family.
We meet many families who are experiencing difficult times, but this family’s current set of challenges are very notable.
Family #13
L is a 14-year-old with a history of congenital atresia and stenosis of large intestine, 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, VSD, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis of thoracolumbar region, bilateral contractures of the knees and ankles. 
Most recently, L has required extensive orthopedic surgeries and bracing. L continues to receive treatments, care, and therapy at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.  
 
L had to be removed from her biological parents early in her childhood, and was placed in the permanent custody of her paternal grandparents, who were already elderly. 
As time passed, grandparents developed significant health conditions of their own. Grandmother died in Feb 2021, and grandfather was at that point unable to continue caring for L on his own.
 
Grandparents have one adult daughter, Y, who gradually began to help with L as the grandparents’ health declined.
 
Upon grandmother’s death, L moved to Aunt Y’s home full-time. Aunt Y has petitioned for full custody (uncontested) in order to stabilize L’s situation. There is no one else in the family who helps with L or could potentially assume her care.
 
This has been a difficult time for the family, with grandmother’s decline and eventual death, L’s loss of her grandmother/guardian, and Aunt Y’s loss of her mother.
 
Aunt Y has very limited resources because she and her husband also both have significant medical issues, Aunt Y has dialysis three days each week, and they now have also accepted full responsibility for L’s demanding care plan and special needs.
 
Aunt Y is on disability, and the family’s budget was very tight even before L entered the household following grandmother’s death.
 
Aunt Y is aware that there is no other family member who can take L, so she has accepted this responsibility although it was never the plan for Aunt Y to assume care and custody.
 
Aunt Y, in between dialysis, has working to petition for custody and manage L’s many health care appts in addition to her own.
 
Aunt Y is committed to doing everything she can for L, but she has few resources and has to plan carefully.
 
This financial assistance from The Barkann Foundation’s Holiday Hearts program would be a great help with clothes and personal items for L, which are things Aunt struggles to provide.
 
Once custody is finalized, it is expected that Aunt Y may be able to secure some public benefits which will help with expenses, but she hasn’t yet been able to access these resources.
 
We would like to thank all of the incredible supporters of The Barkann Foundation for opening your hearts to provide some much needed assistance to this family whose in great need right now.
Family #14
Kyrae  (15), and Kyron (9),  have been cared for by their maternal grandmother for most of their lives after the death of their Mother.
 
In April, 2021 their grandmother became seriously ill and could no longer care for them. They are now being cared for by their maternal aunt, YC, who has two children of her own.
 
YC has health issues of her own and is providing 24 hour care for her mother who is unable to care for herself.
 
Due to the support YC will receive from The Barkann Foundation’s Holiday Hearts program, the financial assistance YC will help provide for the needs of her nephews and her own children who have all been impacted by YC’s inability to work due to her own health issues and becoming full time caretaker for her mother.
 
This family would not be able to have gifts for the holidays if it weren’t for the love and generosity from the supporters from The Barkann Foundation. 
 
Thank you for supporting this very grateful family in their time of need.
Family #15

TK is a 47 year old gentlemen who lives on his own at the Inglis House. TK was born with cerebral palsy and uses an electric wheelchair to get around. TK receives assistance from his aids throughout the day and evening in his room at the Inglis House.

Due to the impact of COVID-19, TK has been confined to his room for the last 18 months and TK’s family and friends haven’t been able to visit due to the restrictions that are in place due to COVID-19.

In addition, TK has not been able to go out of his room and socialize with his residents and go out in the community which he loves to do.

TK has overcome so much in his life and has worked so hard to live independently to accomplish all of his personal goals.

TK would really appreciate your love and support this holiday season.

It has been such a difficult time as TK has really missed getting to see his family and friends.

Thank you for providing some much joy and happiness to TK during the most special time of the year- the holiday season.

Family #16
V is 6 years old and has many special needs and is medically fragile due to genetic syndromes. V continues to be treated by the team at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She requires home nursing and 24 hour care due to her special needs.
 
Mother is unable to work because she provides most of V’s care and cares for all of the children in the home. Father works in landscaping which is seasonal.
 
V has many medical appointments which require Father to take days off from work to help Mom with the other children while she takes V to her appointments.
 
Mom and Dad are so grateful to The Barkann Foundation and their supporters for offering to help their family this holiday season. 
 
Financial assistance will help the family catch up on utility bills that are overdue as well as to purchase household items they are unable to afford currently.
Family #17
A, who is 3 years old and D, who is 6 years old, both have complex medical needs. Both A and D have spina bifida and are dependent on their parents for their care around the clock. A and D are treated by the team at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
 
Mom is the primary caregiver for the children and cannot work due to A’s and D’s medical needs.
 
Dad is also unable to work due to his health needs. The family’s source of income is government benefits and Social Security which cover only the basic necessities.
 
The assistance that this family will receive through The Barkann Foundation’s Holiday Hearts program will allow the family to purchase holiday gifts for the children and help pay their bills. 
 
Mom and Dad are so grateful for your love and support.
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Photo Albums

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