Bearing a Selfless Heart: A Day of Giving Back to Families
February 2024 - A Heartwarming Dinner and Meaningful Gifts at Family House & UCSF Children's Hospital
At Bearing a Selfless Heart, our mission is to give back to those in need, share the love we’ve received, and support families going through challenging times. In February 2024, we had the profound privilege of blessing the families of critically ill children at Family House in San Francisco, an organization that has been a lifeline for so many during their most trying moments.
A Teddy Bear Dinner for Families in Need
Family House provides a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for families of children receiving treatment at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. On this special evening, we hosted a Teddy Bear Dinner, bringing joy and warmth to the families staying there. Every family who attended was gifted with a cuddly teddy bear, books, and other thoughtful treats to help brighten their evening and lift their spirits during such difficult times.
Our volunteers, who are the heart and soul of our organization, went above and beyond to prepare and serve a comforting Italian meal, complete with three different pasta dishes, a fresh salad, and our signature garlic knots. The dinner was an opportunity not only to nourish the body but to offer a sense of community and fellowship. In a space where so much focus is placed on medical treatments and outcomes, we wanted to create a moment for families to just be—to share in the joy of a warm meal, the laughter of children, and the comfort of knowing they were surrounded by others who understood their struggles.
Special Gifts for UCSF Children’s Hospital Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
In addition to the dinner at Family House, our mission continued at UCSF Children’s Hospital, where we provided 90 special teddy bears and CHD (Congenital Heart Defect) Wubba Nub pacifiers for children in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU). The CHD pacifiers were a meaningful addition, each featuring a small bear stitched with an open heart surgery scar, a poignant reminder for parents of the challenging journeys their children face. These pacifiers are not just practical items, but symbols of resilience, love, and the shared experience of healing and hope.
For families of children born with heart defects, these small but meaningful gestures are a lifeline. We wanted to ensure that the families in the CICU felt seen, supported, and encouraged in the best way we know how: with a heartfelt, thoughtful gift.
Giving Back to the Caregivers
Our final act of gratitude on this special day was for the nurses in the UCSF Children's Hospital Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. These healthcare professionals dedicate their lives to caring for children and their families during the most intense moments of their lives. To show our appreciation for their unwavering compassion and tireless work, we provided them with special treats to brighten their day and let them know just how much they are appreciated.
A Day of Gratitude and Fellowship
Reflecting on this day, we are deeply moved by the opportunity to give back to those who have given so much to others. Family House, UCSF Children’s Hospital, and their amazing teams have supported countless families like ours through some of the toughest times imaginable. To be able to return that kindness—through a warm meal, thoughtful gifts, and a shared moment of connection—was an honor we will always cherish.
At Bearing a Selfless Heart, we truly believe that we are blessed to be a blessing. The families, nurses, and staff who welcomed us with open arms filled our hearts with love and gratitude. We hope that our small efforts helped make their days a little brighter, and that the teddy bears, books, and meals provided moments of comfort during an incredibly challenging season.
We are thankful to all of our volunteers, supporters, and donors who made this event possible. Your generosity and selflessness continue to inspire us to carry out our mission of bearing a selfless heart to all in need.
With love and gratitude,
Bearing a Selfless Heart
