Birthday Bucks and Band-Aids

Hi all. This September 4th marks five years since our sweet tiny warrior Peyton’s birth. It’s hard to imagine how different life would be if we had our little girl here, preparing for Kindergarten.

 To honor what would have been Peyton’s 5th Birthday (9/4) and the 5th Anniversary of her passing (10/2), we are once again Doing Good in Her Name. We are super excited to announce that Doing Good in Her Name has teamed up this year with the Kacey Rose Foundation, an amazing non-profit formed in the memory of Kacey Rose Mitchell, that provides assistance to families affected by childhood cancer.

This year’s drive is called: BIRTHDAY BUCKS AND BAND-AIDS

Why Band-Aids?

We are collecting boxes of LATEX FREE BAND-AIDS with FUN DESIGNS to be given to the children’s oncology floor at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

The hospital only uses plain, brown Band-Aids, and the ones with fun pictures, cartoon characters, footballs etc. really brighten up the day for the kids fighting cancer. This is an easy and inexpensive way to spread some love, smiles and sunshine to these amazing little warriors, and to help us pay tribute to our sweet Peyton’s memory.

You can purchase and ship the Band-Aids to the address below yourself, or order them online and have them shipped directly through sites such as Amazon.com, CVS.com etc.

Why Bucks?

We are also collecting cash donations to benefit the Kacey Rose Foundation. Depending on the amount raised, the Kacey Rose Foundation will be providing kids who are fighting cancer at Yale-New Haven Hospital with a fun ice cream party, and/or a lucky patient (or patients hopefully!) will receive a cool new gadget i.e. an iPod, Kindle, etc.

 Please donate what you can to help us make these kids’ stay in the hospital a little easier.

*Please make your TAX DEDUCTIBLE checks payable to Kacey Rose Foundation and put “Peyton” in the memo field.

In her short time here, Peyton gave us the gift of her unconditional love. Thank you in advance for helping us honor her memory.

Send your BIRTHDAY BUCKS and BAND-AIDS (Latex-Free) through October 2nd to the following address:

Happy 5th Birthday Peyton/DGIHN
c/o the Kacey Rose Foundation
P.O. Box 4412
Wallingford, CT 06492

About Peyton: Peyton Elizabeth Binder was born Sept. 4th 2008 to Andrew and Kristin Binder. Unbeknownst to anyone, our “beautiful, perfect little baby girl,” was born with infant leukemia (ALL w/ MLL rearrangement) the odds of which fall somewhere in the range of 1 in 50 million. Peyton fought with the heart of a prize fighter through chemo, spinal taps and multiple surgeries, until sadly, on Oct. 2nd, she left this world from her mother’s arms. During our daughter’s too-short life, we were the recipients of many acts of kindness and compassion, and this is why we strive to give back in her memory. Our goal is to honor Peyton’s life by Doing Good in Her Name.

**The Kacey Rose Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

GIFT CARD DRIVE SUCCESS!

We would like to send a HUGE THANK YOU out to the following people and organizations, who helped to make our Gift Card Drive a big success! Gift Cards and cash donations brought in a whopping $470 for families with critically ill children at CCMC!

These gift cards to Friendly's, Build-a-Bear, Starbucks, Applebees, Stop and Shop, Dunkin Donuts, and Subway were packaged up for delivery to the Connecticut Children's Medical Center Foundation today, and will go a long way in letting these families know that others are thinking of them. Thank you so much for helping us honor our daughter Peyton's memory in such a special way!

None of this would be possible without our amazing donors! So, without further ado, Thank you so much:

EISEN FAMILY of Westport, CT

NICOLE VON OY of Burlington, CT

JULIANA STANLEY of Brigantine, NJ

LIZ AND GENE ROBERTS of Brookfield, CT

THE WADE FAMILY of West Hartford, CT

THE VENEZIA FAMILY of Newtown, CT

JACQUELINE WARNER of Hanover, PA

THE KACEY ROSE FOUNDATION of Wallingford, CT

WENDY LOONEY of Montgomery, AL

WALT AND NINA BINDER of Kansas City, MO

MEGHAN RUTHERFORD of Burlington, CT

and EVELYN BLATZ of Wappingers Falls, NY

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!

YOUR KINDNESS HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE!

Thank You Liz and Gene Roberts

We would like to send a HUGE THANK YOU out to

Liz and Gene Roberts of Brookfield, CT

for sending in the following batch of donations!

Liz and Gene, who are Peyton's maternal grandparents, have continuously donated to this initiative since it began, and they blessed us again with a nice batch of goodies for Danbury Hospital's NICU.

Isn't this dress just so precious?

THANK YOU SO MUCH LIZ AND GENE!

Thank You Betsy Beasley!

We would like to send a Huge Thank You out to

Betsy Beasley of Glen Allen, VA

for her incredible generosity.

Knowing how difficult preemie items are to come by, Betsy makes a habit of buying these items when she sees them, and donating them to area NICU's. We are so touched that she has once again chosen to help support our initiative with all of these beautiful preemie outfits.

All told, Betsy sent us an incredible 11 pairs of preemie pajamas, as well as 5 wonderful three-piece outfits that we know are just going to make someone's day in the NICU at Danbury Hospital!

THANK YOU SO MUCH BETSY!

Thank You Karen of the blog Busy Hands!

We would like to send a HUGE THANK YOU 

out to Karen of the blog Busy Hands

for knitting for us this lovely donation.

Karen lost her beloved son, George Patrick Andrew, to stillbirth in May of 2009. She knitted these beautiful hats in his memory to be worn by pre-term stillborn babies, which can then be taken home by the parents as a tangible keepsake of their child.

These tiny hats are so lovely and we know they will mean so much to the families who receive them.

Thank you so much Karen!

Thank You St. Mary School In Newington, CT

We would like to send a HUGE THANK YOU out to

The Students, Staff and Families of 

St. Mary School, Newington, CT

St. Mary School runs a ministry called A Cuddle and a Prayer Blankie Ministry in which they create handmade fleece blankets for donation. We were lucky to be the recipients of a batch of these beautiful blankies on behalf of the new NICU at Danbury Hospital, and we had the pleasure of delivering these blankies last week.

The students at St. Mary School created these wonderful blankies to the size specifications of NICU isolettes, and I know that they will bring great comfort to the children and families who receive them!

Please be sure to check out St. Mary School's A Cuddle and a Prayer Blankie Ministry website here.

THANK YOU SO MUCH ST. MARY SCHOOL!

We Asked - You Delivered! Danbury Hospital NICU Book Drive!

Wow! We Asked and You Delivered!

Books! Books! Books!

We are pleased to announce that our Book Drive for the 

Danbury Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit 

brought in 247 books!

These books will go to great use as parents read them to their NICU babies, or siblings in the NICU curl up with a good book to pass the time. And what's more, each family will have the opportunity to take a special book home with them as a keepsake at the end of their stay! How special a gift you have given them, where they can look back with that child and say, "this was the book I used to read to you in the NICU." Thank you so much again to all who helped to make this book drive a success!

Just look at all these beautiful titles!

Thank You So Much 

Larry and Jayne Shapiro of Shaftsbury VT!

Thank You So Much 

Deanna Whitehead of Chino, CA!

Thank You So Much 

Nika Michaels of Amacartes WA!

Thank You So Much 

Lisa Ginsberg Eisen of Westport CT!

 

Thank You So Much 

Amanda Tryon Johnson of Midlothian, VA!

Thank You So Much 

Elizabeth Roberts of Brookfield CT!

Thank You So Much 

Julia McDonald of Chevy Chase, MD!

Thank You So Much 

Lori Ennis of Jacksonville, NC!

Thank You So Much 

Chris Dlugozima and Deb Steinberg of Hoboken, NJ!

 

Thank You So Much 
Karen Paradise of Canton, CT!

Thank You So Much 

Rebecca Stanley of Smithville, NJ!

Thank You So Much 

Kacey Rose Foundation of Wallingford, CT!

 

Thank You So Much 

Heather Blatz of Pleasant Valley, NY!

And these were from us.

We also received the following beautiful non book donations...

Thank You So Much
Dlugozima Family of Sayville, NY

Thank You So Much 

Malory Jiminez of Southbridge, MA!

Thank You So Much 

Rebecca Stanley of Smithville, NJ!

THANK YOU 

TO ALL WHO DONATED! 

Your kindness has made a difference!

Danbury Hospital NICU Book Drive!

Books! Books! Books!

Danbury Hospital NICU Book Drive

Danbury Hospital is gearing up to open their *BRAND NEW* NICU, and Doing Good In Her Name would like to help them out by providing a bookshelf of brand new books for kids of all ages. 


This bookshelf will reside in Danbury's NICU, and be accessible for NICU patients, siblings, and families to use. At the end of their stay, patients and siblings will be able to take the books home if they wish.


Because of the delicate immune systems of some NICU patients, we can only accept brand new books at this time. We will be collecting them through June 1st.  


If you would like to help support the book drive, please send your tax deductible donation of brand new books to: 

Book Drive for Peyton’s Pals

Attn: Doing Good In Her Name

P.O. Box 1281

Burlington, CT 06013

Thank you in advance for doing your part to help these families through their stay in the NICU. God Bless!

Thank You Patty Moran!

We would like to send a HUGE THANK YOU out to 

Patty Moran, of Albany NY

for organizing an incredible gift card and fundraising drive on behalf of Doing Good In Her Name.

Last weekend, we took a trip to the Doing Good In Her Name P.O. Box, and came home with a large yellow envelope. When we opened it up, we just could not believe what we were seeing. There was a large stack of gift cards and checks inside. Our initial thought was that I had somehow sent the cards from our Holiday Gift Card and Fundraiser drive to the wrong address and someone had kindly returned it to me! That's how big the stack was! Boy were we in for a shock. Inside we found the following note from a woman whose grandson had received a Doing Good In Her Name package during his time at CCMC's NICU:

January 15, 2011


Last April my grandson was born prematurely at Hartford Hospital (CCMC's NICU). He got wonderful medical care, but I also remember the personal touches. He received a book and stuffed animal, blanket, and some preemie clothes. Those gifts means so much to my daughter and son-in-law during a very stressful time.


When my daughter told me about your organization I thought it was a wonderful idea. The gift cards are a great idea. I remember how nice it was for my daughter to get out of the hospital for just a quick bite at Friendly's.


I have a group of women friends who have been together for over 30 years. Each Christmas we would exchange presents. This year we decided to donate to Doing Good In Her Name instead of exchanging gifts. I also brought up the idea at my office, and everyone was very receptive.


Enclosed you will find the donations of money and gift cards for Doing Good In Her Name. I am sure they will be put to good use.


Sincerely,
Patty Moran


We are so grateful to Patty and her friends and co-workers for gathering such a wonderful collection of gift cards. In total they sent 23 gift cards totaling $260!

Additionally, Patty and her friends also raised $175 for the Connecticut Children's Medical Center Foundation! Isn't that just incredible!

THANK YOU SO MUCH PATTY!

Thank You Holly of Caring For Carleigh!

We would like to send a HUGE THANK YOU out to

The Wonderful Holly

 of the blog Caring For Carleigh, 

and her husband Anthony, 

for sending us the following donation.

Anthony and Holly sent in this beautiful 4 in 1 puzzle, Eric Carle's 123 to the Zoo.

This puzzle is sure to provide many hours of fun for the children at CCMC!

THANK YOU SO MUCH ANTHONY & HOLLY! 

An Update...

Please bear with us as we are a few weeks behind in posting donations. As many of you know, we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Peyton's little brother and sister this month. Because of some not so great weather in the northeast, and being slowed down a bit by the pregnancy, we have only been able to get to the P.O. Box every few weeks. Today we were overjoyed to find that two wonderful packages were waiting for us at the Post Office - one from Anthony and Holly Haas, and the other from Patti Moran. We will get both of these donations posted this week.

Thank You Jodi Miranda!

We would like to send a HUGE THANK YOU out to 

Jodi Miranda of Coral Gables, FL

for sending us the following beautiful donations.

Jodi was kind enough to send us these brand new and pre-washed/bagged blankets,

outfits, infant socks, and washcloths, as well as a diaper carrying case.

Jodi also sent in several packages of infant formula, pacifiers, bottles of antibacterial

 hand sanitizer, a toy, package of diapers, and adorable hat.

All of these items will go to great use assisting critically ill infants at CCMC!

THANK YOU SO MUCH JODI!

Our First Danbury Hospital Drop Off Thank You Western Connecticut State University O.W.L's

We would like to send a HUGE THANK YOU out to

Myrna Flaccavento

and the 

Western Connecticut State University O.W.L. Program

for organizing a wonderful Giving Tree Program for Doing Good In Her Name this past holiday season.

We were thrilled when Myrna, who is the Vice President for WCSU's O.W.L. (Older Wiser Learners) Program, contacted us in August to let us know that the O.W.L's had chosen Doing Good In Her Name to be the recipients of their Giving Tree Program this year. Over the course of November and December, Myrna and the O.W.L's collected several bags just brimming with beautiful donations such as clothing, books, toys, bottles of hand sanitizer, gift cards, teethers, and blankets to benefit the critically ill infants being treated in the NICU at Danbury Hospital.

After meeting with Myrna to pick up the donations, Peyton's Grandmother, Elizabeth Roberts, took the items over to Danbury Hospital for delivery, and met with Grace Linhard, the Vice President of Danbury Hospital's Development Fund.

Peyton's Grandmother Elizabeth Roberts (Left) with Grace Linhard (Right) of Danbury Hospital's Development Fund. 

In addition to the amazing items collected by The O.W.L's, a box of thirty preemie outfits donated by Betsy Beasley were also delivered, making this first delivery to Danbury Hospital's NICU a huge success!

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO MYRNA

AND ALL THE O.W.L's WHO DONATED

TO THE

GIVING TREE PROGRAM!

Thank You Julia McDonnell!

We would like to send a HUGE THANK YOU out to 

Julia McDonnell of Chevy Chase, MD

For sending in another wonderful batch of donations!

Julia sent in some beautiful Build-A-Bear Workshop Bears, as well two homemade blankets,
a bib, and two gorgeous hats!

 And to help keep little ones entertained, she sent a wonderful batch of activity books and stickers...

Along with some markers and crayons, two mobiles, some teethers and toys,
crib sheets, bottles, CD's and books!
All of which are sure to go to great use at CCMC!

THANK YOU SO MUCH JULIA!

Thank You Arlene & Larry Pellerin

We would like to send a HUGE THANK YOU out to 

Arlene & Larry Pellerin of Pembroke, NH

for sending some wonderful donations into our Holiday Gift Card and Fundraising Drive!

Arlene and Larry blessed us with some gift cards:

Two for Dunkin Donuts...

As well as one from Subway...

And also sent in a generous cash donation, 

bringing the total amount we have now raised for The CCMC Foundation up to $1940!

THANK YOU SO MUCH ARLENE & LARRY

Thank You Diane Richards!

We would like to send a HUGE THANK YOU out to 

Diane Richards of Springfield MA

for sending in a generous donation towards our Holiday Fundraising and Gift Card Drive!

Diane made this donation to honor the memory of a sweet little girl named Dylan Rose, who left this world too soon due to SIDS.

Thanks to Diane's generosity, we have now raised a total of $1915 for The Connecticut Children's Medical Center Foundation, to help offset costs for parents with critically ill infants being treated at CCMC!

THANK YOU SO MUCH DIANE!

Thank You Adam Pepin and Sylvia Lima!

We would like to send a HUGE THANK YOU out to

Adam Pepin and Sylvia Lima of Newington, CT

for sending in an amazing batch of goodies for CCMC!

Adam and Sylvia sent in these adorable outfits, a hat and bootie set,

and some lovely receiving blankets...

As well as these breast milk storage kits that are sure to go to great use!

 

THANK YOU SO MUCH ADAM AND SYLVIA!

Thank You Liz and Gene Roberts!

We would like to send a HUGE THANK YOU out to

Liz and Gene Roberts of Brookfield, CT

for sending in the following batch of donations!

Liz and Gene, who are Peyton's maternal grandparents, have continuously donated to this initiative since it began, and they blessed us again with a large batch of goodies for CCMC.

They sent puzzles and games...

As well as a beautiful array of books, CD's, DVD's, and computer games

for the kids at CCMC to enjoy!

THANK YOU SO MUCH LIZ AND GENE!

Thank You Jennifer Guerrini!

We would like to send a HUGE THANK YOU out to 

Jennifer Guerrini of Rocky Hill, CT

for sending us a wonderful gift card donation for our Holiday Fund and Gift Card Drive!

Jennifer, who has generously donated to this initiative in the past, blessed us with two gift cards to Friendly's. Friendly's is located right on the CCMC campus, and these gift cards will offer the families of a critically ill infant, a much needed break for a meal, cup of coffee, or sweet pick-me-up.

THANK YOU SO MUCH JENNIFER!