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Kids with Heart
by
Barbara Bietz
 When Kayla Foster, a 16-year-old high school student from California discovered her best friend Chelsea was diagnosed with cancer, she and her brother Zack wanted to honor Chelsea in a meaningful way that could help other kids.
Kayla and Zack spoke with their mom, Shani, about fundraising ideas that could help the hospital where Chelsea received treatment. After a bit of brainstorming, the idea of Chelsea's Hearts was born. Chelsea's Hearts are removable heart shaped fabric patches that can be applied and reapplied to clothing, backpacks, folders, and more. The hearts have been personalized with Chelsea's name. Kayla and Chelsea decided on the heart shape and Chelsea chose the color for the patch, a soft green. Shani arranged to have the patches manufactured.
While Chelsea recuperated, friends and schoolmates gathered to offer support, and Chelsea's Hearts quickly became a community project. Shani says, "We selected student representatives at a number of local schools and the hearts were sold for $3.00 each to schoolmates, friends, and family." So far, the patches have raised over $600.00.
 Shani's goal is to create a non-profit organization that will offer this opportunity to kids in other communities. Chelsea's Hearts allow friends and relatives of kids who are fighting disease to focus their energies on a project that helps other kids, and selling the patches gives kids a hands-on opportunity to help fight pediatric diseases. Wearing the patches is a way for community members to show on-going support.
The patches can be personalized with any name and can be produced in a variety of shapes and colors. Shani is happy to help kids from communities around the country get started with a Chelsea's Hearts fundraiser that will help fight any pediatric illness.
Feel free to contact her by e-mail: ChelseasHearts@aol.com
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About the Author: Barbara Bietz - Children's Books and Movies Reviews Monthly columnist for Families Online Magazine. Barbara is a freelance writer from Oak Park, California. Her favorite pastime is reading children's books. She enjoys writing for adults and children. Her work has appeared in numerous publications. Barbara's book, LIKE a MACCABEE, will be released in October, 2006.
Parenting Teens
Listen to
Families Online Radio Interview with Sharon Scott, Family Counselor
Parenting Books That Work!
By Sharon Scott, Family Counselor
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Sharon is the author of eight award-winning books including four on the topic of peer pressure.
 The guide for parents/educators on how to peer-proof children and teens is Peer Pressure Reversal: An Adult Guide to Developing a Responsible Child, 2nd Ed.
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Her best-selling book for teens, How to Say No and Keep Your Friends, 2nd Ed., empowers kids to stand out—not just fit in!
A follow-up book for teens, When to Say Yes! And Make More Friends, shows adolescents how to select and meet quality friends and, in general, feel good for doing and being good. |
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