Henry's Heroes Makes Large Delivery to the Ronald McDonald House of Des Moines
posted on Monday, July 15, 2019
As we’ve gotten to know food pantries on our journey to Haul Out Hunger across the state, we realized there was still a critical need not being met, which is why we were so excited to launch Henry’s Heroes, a program that provides children’s personal care items to hospitals, food pantries and care shelters. Earlier this week, Henry’s Heroes made a large delivery to the Ronald McDonald House of Des Moines.
The Ronald McDonald house aims to keep families together and is a home when their children are being treated at area medical facilities. It’s more than a place for families to lay their heads at nightâ —it’s a place filled with hope.
“Our house holds 18 families and we’re almost always full,” explained Kaitlyn Dew. “We were built on the 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 their next meal will come from or where they will lay their head at night.”
According to Kaitlyn, all of the services the Ronald McDonald house provides wouldn’t be possible without donations and the generosity of volunteers, like the South Central Calhoun baseball team who were volunteering the day of our delivery in honor of former teammate, Jacy McAlexander, and made unloading 13 boxes of Henry’s Heroes baby supplies a breeze.
Henry’s Heroes was inspired by Henry Johnson, Jeff and Deb Hansen's grandchild and the son of Natalie and Jake Johnson. Natalie had the vision for Henry’s Heroes after she and Jake organized a donation of Henry's baby shower items to Blank Children's Hospital.
“We have all witnessed the pain in our world for the lack of even the most basic needs to raise a child, even in our own communities,” said Natalie Johnson. “From basics like bottles and diapers to more fun items like books, toys, and the cutest clothes, Henry’s Heroes brings joy to children and their caretakers when they are in most need.”
“Many families travel far from home and spend several weeks or months here and I know these supplies are going to be a blessing for the families that receive them,” continued Kaitlyn. “It’s one less things families will have to worry about during a difficult time in their lives.”
So far this year, 131 Henry’s Heroes’ care packages have been delivered to families in need.
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