 BOARD OF DIRECTORS David Bonfiglio Honorary Chairs:Ara Parseghian
A message from our parents...
In all neighborhoods, we have dreams for our children. For some of us our lives changed, when a newborn arrived too early, a toddler suffered brain damage after nearly drowning, or when our teenager became paralyzed in a car accident. We are the parents of medically fragile children. We invite you to support O'Hana. |
THE FACTSWhat is the O'Hana Heritage Foundation?O'Hana Heritage Foundation is an organization that built A Rosie Place; a home-away-from-home for medically fragile children, in South Bend, Indiana.Why are we called “O'Hana”?O'Hana is a word in Hawaiian for “family,” which is what we want to become-part of; the extended family of medically fragile children.Why do we need A Rosie Place?In the past decade, there have been remarkable strides made in the treatment of children with complex disorders and injuries, and an increase in the number of children living at home with disabilities. Many of these children are described as “medically fragile.”Approximately 733,000 children in the United States have severe chronic illnesses with multiple impairments. Among them are those who are severely disabled, medically fragile, and often dependent on technology for survival. The families of these children must provide constant care, which is exhausting both physically and emotionally. Siblings often are unintentionally deprived of their parents' attention. With nursing shortages and the inability of the usual babysitters to care for them, the families are tied to their homes and socially isolated. Even a full night's sleep is impossible to get. In the primary six county region surrounding A Rosie Place, there are an estimated 22,557 children with chronic medical conditions, 2,256 of whom are medically fragile. In a safe and nurturing environment, A Rosie Placebprovides a haven where the children can spend a day, a weekend, or a week, while their family spends time rejuvenating. They receive care from skilled nurses and trained, supervised volunteers. How can I help in O'Hana’s mission?As with all non-profit organizations, we need much in the way of time, treasure and talents. We are in the midst of a capital campaign to raise $1.2,000,000 for construction of the home. We have many naming opportunities for those who would like to make a larger donation of $25,000 or greater, including the total amount.We are looking for donations of building materials, per the builder's specifications. We would be grateful for any donations of labor while the house is being built, furnished, and decorated. Once we are open, we will need volunteers to maintain the facility, entertain the children, and to do light housekeeping. We will also need receptionists, typists, networking resources, librarians, etc. Please contact us today if you have an interest in contributing to our mission. |