~ Volunteers.  We have received a great number of new volunteers and we thank each and every one of you for volunteering your time to make clothing for the babies.  It's a very special and dear service we provide to the families of the babies and I know they appreciate each one of you.  If you ever need anything or have any questions, please let us know.  To those who would like to volunteer with us and have not done so, please send in your information and someone will contact you.  Give us 24-48 hours though, please.

~ Deliveries.  Over the past few months, we have been able to make at least 1 large delivery each month to each hospital (Lafayette General, Women's and Children's, and Woman's in BR).  We can do this because of our wonderful volunteers who are sewing in groups and sewing at home.  We appreciate all you do.  Thank you.  That being said, for our last delivery in June, we depleted everything we had in "stock."  So keep that in mind over the next few weeks.  If you have items done or get some more done soon, and need to drop them off, please let us know and we'll make arrangements.  We'd like to make significant deliveries to everyone in July too.  Our deliveries are so special - all of the hospital workers get so excited to see us coming with our big boxes.   I wish we could see the faces of every family who gets our clothing - I know they are even more excited. 

~ For Sale.  We are still selling t-shirts for adults and kids ($15 each), decals for your car that are beautiful ($10 each), and koozies ($3 each).  Contact us if you are interested in purchasing something - if you would like us to ship to you, we can, but ask that you pay the shipping charge and we must receive your payment first.

~ The IRS.  We applied for our tax exempt status in January of 2010.  This was after a very long and often complicated process of filling out the application and getting all the appropriate documents completed and filed.  I think we started everything in April or May of 2009.  Well yesterday, June 28, we finally got our letter from the IRS stating that we are approved.  We are officially a 501(c)3 tax exempt charity!!  This is a super relief and blessing and we are looking forward to new opportunities from our new status. 

~ Fundraiser.  Paper Trail in Lafayette is hosting an event in which part of the proceeds of the event go to Heartstrings.  This event is for the kids - it is called Kids Helping Kids on July 10 from 10-2 - they will be coloring or painting a page which will be scanned and placed on their own melamine plate.  It's very cute and should be a fun day.  It's also a great way for the kids to give back and teach them to give back.  There will be cupcakes and a magician!  For more information, please see our event page on Facebook.  You can find that here.  I'd like to thank Tina (owner of Paper Trail) for choosing Heartstrings and having this day for us.  We appreciate it so much.  Don't forget to RSVP too, they need to estimate how many people are coming for the day.

~ Crocheted Hats.  Thank you to all the recent volunteers who are crocheting little hats for our little babies.  We have never had this many to give to our little babies before and we are so excited about it!  Just remember that the majority of the babies range from 2 pounds to 4 pounds so please follow patterns accordingly.

~ Best in Acadiana.  We'd like to thank everyone again for nominating us as the best Non-Profit in Acadiana.  We made it to the finals in the top 5 and that was very exciting!  We were among some of the biggest and most distinguished non-profits in the area and it was an HONOR to be in the same category as them.  So thank you, and thank you for helping us continue to spread our mission.

~ Workdays.  Our workdays are still being held and are still very productive for us.  If you would like to join us, please feel free.  You never know who else is going to be there!  Often we have parents of babies in the NICU, either present or past, and it's special to talk with them and hear how we've impacted their lives.  We feed you too and have sweets and breakfast!  (I'm working on getting Chef Colt to start cooking for us too.....I'm working on it.)  Please don't forget that we need your help to continue to provide for the babies, so please come volunteer!  Even if you don't sew, you can still be a huge help.  We find something for everyone to do!

And as always, THANK YOU for the continued support, THANK YOU for believing in the mission, and THANK YOU for helping us provide for babies in the NICU and bring a smile to people's faces.  We appreciate it and the parents and NICU staff appreciate it.

Until next time, and I hope it's not as long..........Jennifer

TEAM BASKET - anything LSU, UL, or Saints.  (Each team will have it's own basket.)

SPA RETREAT- Lotion/perfume, bath salts/oils, robe, eye mask, aromatherapies

COCKTAIL TIME - Liquors, cocktail shaker, drink mix book, drink glasses, bar tools, drink mixes

WINE - Any type of wine, wine (drink) bucket

MOVIE NIGHT - DVDs, popcorn bucket, popcorn, movie tickets, movie candy, coke glasses, Netflix gift card

PAMPERED CHEF - pot/skillet, cookbooks, gift cards for groceries, kitchen gadgets, kitchen tools.

GARDEN - flower pots, gardening tools, seeds/plants, wheelbarrow, kneeling pads, garden decor

TAILGAITING KIT - anything used at a tailgate party - bbq tools, ice chest (48 quart on wheels), apron, bag chairs

HUNTING/CAMPING SUPPLIES - hunting vest, tent, camping supplies

COFFEE BREAK - different coffees, coffee mugs, gift cards to Starbucks, etc

BEACH BUM - beach chair, sunscreen, lotion, aloe, toys, towels, sunglasses

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!  By fulfilling these item requests, you are helping us continue to clothe our smallest miracles!!

A lot of work was done getting ready for the Cookoff Fundraiser.  We are in immediate need of volunteers able to sell raffle tickets, as well as begin asking for and collecting silent auction items.  If you are interested in doing either of those, please email us heartstrings_angelwings@yahoo.com  Thank you in advance!