3rd Annual PICU Gift Drive {Guest Post from Amber of Averie Lane}

Hey y'all! Today I've got a very special guest post from Amber of Averie Lane. Amber emailed me and a few other bloggers to see if we'd help with a little (ok, BIG!) project she's taken on for the past three years raising money for gifts to donate to kids who have been admitted to PICUs (Pediatric Intensive Care Units) over the holidays. She does this in memory of her daughter, Averie, who passed away from mitochondrial disease and was in and out of the PICU during her short life. Since I'm a genetic counselor and have worked with children (and adults) with mitochondrial disease, her story really hit home with me. I'll let her tell you more about her gift drive and what you can do to help.

Take it away, Amber!

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I am so excited to be hosting the 3nd Annual PICU Gift drive - in memory Averie Elizabeth!

If you have read our story you know a little about our daughter Averie and her battle with mitochondrial disease.

She spent a lot of time in and out of hospitals, especially in the last few months before she passed away. We spent from August 2011 to October 2011 bouncing between Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford and Spokane Sacred Heart...so much that it became home to us. When Averie passed away November 13th, 2011, it was heartbreaking and unexpected. I always had hope that she would be healed and be herself again someday, the heartbreak was even harder because it was right before the holidays. Many people sent cards, flowers and support, but it was a huge blessing when my husband's military unit decided to donate toys to the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) instead of sending flowers to us. When we heard what they were doing we decided to match their efforts and with the help of family and friends we ended up to donating almost 60 sets Kohl's Cares books and stuffed animals to the PICU at Sacred Heart.

We heard such great feedback from families that received the sets that we decided to make it an annual tradition! Our goal is to raise enough money to buy a set Kohl's Cares book/toy for each child who stays in the PICU during the month of December. We know how hard it can be to have to spend the holidays in the hospital and we think these beautiful gifts will help make a child smile and make a very special Christmas gift!

Have you heard of Kohl's Cares? They are high quality books and stuffed animals that you can buy for $5 each!

This years theme is A Charlie Brown Christmas!

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Seriously adorable!

These will make the perfect gift for children who have to spend time in the PICU during the holidays!

To make this gift drive work we need your help!

A donation of just $10 buys a book/toy combo!

Just $10!

We need to raise enough to buy at least 60 sets - if not more!! (last year's event raised enough to buy over 110 sets!! That's almost two months worth of gifts! )

AMAZING!!!

Do you want to help??

Just click the image below!

It will take you to a secure PayPal location where you can make a donation directly from Paypal.