We are eager to have heart parents lend their time and talents to the Malley & Henry Fund! The two ways in which we need the most assistance is with fundraising and parent mentoring. See, Erin and Pattye have full-time jobs and eight kids. As much as we’d like to spend all our time reaching other Oklahoma heart families, we’ve still got to get food on the table for our litter!
If you would be willing to organize a fundraiser, please get in touch. We need to raise at least $10,000 for the next three years to meet our endowment-building goal. So every bake sale, personal check and gala event helps us meet that goal. Even if you are not an event-planning type, please consider sharing information about the Malley & Henry Fund (MHF) with your family, friends and local businesses and let them know how easy it is to make a tax=exempt donation – online or by check to: Pattye High, 500 North Walker, Ste E-400, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. And thank you!
Some heart parents have approached us about becoming parent mentors which is a great deal of the work Pattye and I already do. MHF mentors need to be ready to share their story but, more importantly, they need to be careful listeners. Each heart family is unique in their family make-up, needs, fears, support systems and beliefs. We serve these families best when we respect differences and offer advice and insight that honors where the family is at that moment.
If you are considering becoming an MHF mentor, please get in touch. We will meet with you, answer questions and speak to the type of mentors we prefer. There is an application process and selected mentors “practice!” In other words, we will run through some scenarios we commonly see in the PICU and gauge how you respond to these. Parent mentors who are asked to be part of our MHF efforts then go with Pattye or myself to a few PICU visits. After that, you are one of the crew and we are so thankful for you!
We do ask that every MHF mentor be a parent to a child with a congenital heart condition. We welcome parents who can speak to a wide array of PICU experiences and that includes parents who have lost their beloved children.
Finally, you may know of a business that would donate services to the Malley & Henry Fund. We are always in need of media coverage, photographers, videographers, event planners, public relations, restaurants as well as gas and store gift cards. Thank you for building these alliances for MHF!
