Aiden’s Heart Foundation received an early Christmas gift this month.
A check for of $3,278 was presented to the foundation from Bi-Lo Charities on Nov. 9.
“This couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Matthew Phillips, founder of Aiden’s Heart. “We’ve really been struggling. Donations have decreased drastically lately because of the economy and this came just in time for the holidays.”
Phillips said the check will be put toward their Children’s Hunger Relief Program.
“Right now we are preparing 30 Thanksgiving packs for families in the North Cove community,” he said.
Packs will consist of a holiday turkey with all the fixings. Other meal projects are also in the works for Christmas.
The monetary donation was the idea of Pam Singer, customer service manager at Marion Bi-Lo. Singer noticed Phillips would visit the store frequently to purchase items for the charity’s backpack program. She also got to know Aiden Phillips, namesake of the foundation, when he and his parents shopped for groceries.
“He was so special to me,” she said. “Every time he came in the store he would give me kisses and just talk away. When he passed, I knew they were creating a foundation in his name and I wanted very much to help and get the community involved.”
Aiden passed away in Sept. 2009 due to a condition known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. He was only four years old.
Singer and Phillips came up with several ideas to raise money through Bi-Lo.
“Over the summer, we had hamburger and hot dog sales at the store, a Bojangles biscuit sale and a grill raffle,” said Phillips.
The store also sold $1 “golf balls” at each register through the Bi-Lo Charity Classic Golf Tournament. A contest was held for cashiers to sell as many “golf balls” possible.
“The outpouring from the community was amazing!” said Singer. “I was very pleased with the overall outcome.”
Singer said Bi-Lo will continue to support Aiden’s Heart throughout the year with various fund-raising events.
In the meantime, Aiden’s Heart continues its mission to help families cope with their children’s illnesses. They provide parent packs (toiletries provided to parents who stay in hospitals with their kids), gasoline for travel and food baskets. Locally, they offer a backpack program to North Cove Elementary where food is discretely sent home with students in need to get them through the weekend.
They are a 100-percent nonprofit organization.
For more information, visit www.aidensheart.org.
To make a donation this holiday season, visit the website provided. Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 2236, Marion, NC.
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