HEARTS TO HANDS

Crafting Joy, Delivering Hope
Welcome to Hearts to Hands, a program of the Armer Foundation for Kids, where compassionate people come together to brighten the lives of children facing life-altering medical conditions in the Greater Phoenix area. Under the leadership of Program Director Sofia Hileman, we’re building a community dedicated to creating handmade gifts that spark joy and remind kids they’re loved and supported during challenging hospital stays.

Our Mission

At Hearts to Hands, we believe every child deserves moments of happiness, no matter how tough their journey. Our mission is to bring hope and joy to children with serious medical conditions through thoughtful, handmade gifts. From cozy blankets to personalized cards, our gifts are crafted with care to lift spirits and make long hospital days a little brighter.

Why Handmade Gifts?

Spending days, weeks, or even months in a hospital can be overwhelming for children and their families. A handmade gift—whether it’s a soft quilt, a colorful activity kit, or a heartfelt note—carries the warmth of human connection. These small gestures show kids they’re not alone, offering comfort and a reminder that a caring community is cheering them on.
How It Works
Hearts to Hands partners with pediatric hospitals in the Greater Phoenix area, like Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Banner Children’s, to deliver safe, high-quality handmade gifts to children in need.

Here’s how we make it happen:

  1. Crafting with Care: Our volunteers create gifts like blankets, decorated pillowcases, knitted hats, activity kits, and encouraging cards, ensuring each item meets hospital safety and infection control standards.
  2. Personalized Touch: We work with hospital staff to learn about each child’s preferences—like favorite colors or characters—to make gifts feel special and tailored.
  3. Safe Delivery: Gifts are delivered monthly to partner hospitals, packaged with a “Made with Love” note from our community (while respecting privacy with no personal volunteer details).
  4. Community Effort: From school groups to retirees, our diverse volunteers come together at crafting events to create these gifts, fostering connection and purpose.

This program builds on the success of our Armer Cares initiative, which provides comfort items like toys, blankets, and toiletries to hospitalized kids. Hearts to Hands adds an emotional touch, ensuring every child feels loved and supported, aligning perfectly with our mission to ease the financial and emotional burdens of families facing extreme medical conditions.

What’s In A Care Package?

Comfort Gifts

Wrap kids in warmth and care with these cozy creations:
  • Soft Blankets: Hand-sewn fleece or flannel blankets featuring cheerful patterns like stars or animals. A small embroidered patch with words like “Hope” or “Brave” adds a personal touch.
  • Cozy Beanies: Crocheted or knitted hats in soft, hypoallergenic yarn, perfect for keeping kids warm, especially those experiencing hair loss from treatment.
  • Decorated Pillowcases: Pillowcases hand-painted with uplifting designs like rainbows or superheroes, bringing color to hospital rooms.
  • Creative Activities
    Keep young minds engaged and spirits lifted with fun, hands-on kits:
    • Art Kits: Fabric pouches filled with washable markers, a sketchbook, and reusable stickers, encouraging kids to draw their dreams or favorite characters.
    • Fidget Toys: Hand-stitched fabric squares with textures like satin ribbons or crinkle layers, ideal for soothing kids with sensory needs or anxiety.
    • Bead Stringing Kits: Large wooden beads and elastic cord for crafting bracelets, fostering creativity and fine motor skills.

    Encouraging Keepsakes

    Small treasures to remind kids they’re supported:
    • Hand-Painted Plaques: Wooden plaques (4”x6”) painted with messages like “You Are Strong” or simple designs like a sun, crafted to inspire.
    • Encouragement Cards: Hand-drawn cards with heartfelt notes like “Keep Shining!” in English, Spanish, or Navajo, reflecting Phoenix’s diverse community.
    • Fabric Bookmarks: Sewn bookmarks with felt hearts or stars, perfect for young readers or journalers.

    Self-Care Touches

    Support emotional well-being, especially for older kids and teens:
    • Calming Sachets: Hand-sewn pouches filled with unscented lavender or rice, designed to soothe when gently squeezed.
    • Journal Covers: Fabric covers for small notebooks, decorated with felt shapes like flowers or books, encouraging self-expression.
    Each care package is packed in an eco-friendly cotton drawstring bag and includes a “Made with Love” note from our Hearts to Hands community, reminding kids that people across Phoenix are cheering them on.
Hearts to Hands campaign is on a mission to deliver 500 hand crafted gifts to kids in Greater Phoenix hospitals by June, 2026. . With your support, we can reach 500 kids, sparking 500 smiles and countless moments of hope. Join us to make this goal a reality!

How You Can Help

Together, we can make a difference. Here’s how you can join the Hearts to Hands Program:

  • Donate: Contribute to our goal of raising $25,000 to fund 500 care packages. Every dollar counts! Donate Now
  • Gift Items: Shop our Amazon Wish List to send teen-friendly items directly to us. View Amazon Wish List
  • Join the Hearts To Hands Challenge: Share a photo or video of yourself doing something crafting (like writing an encouraging note or creating a project for one of our bags with #HeartstoHands and tag three friends to spread the word.

Follow Us: Stay updated on our journey and share our mission on Instagram, TikTok, X, and Facebook. @armerfoundation

Why It Matters

Transforming Hospital Days with Joy and Hope
For children facing life-altering medical conditions, a hospital stay can feel endless. Long days filled with treatments, tests, and uncertainty can dim even the brightest spirits. At Hearts to Hands, we believe every child deserves moments of happiness, no matter their challenges. That’s why our handmade care packages—crafted with love by the Greater Phoenix community—are more than just gifts. They’re a lifeline of comfort, creativity, and connection.
Each blanket, card, or activity kit carries a powerful message: You are not alone. These thoughtful creations remind kids that people across Phoenix—from students to grandparents—are rooting for them. A soft blanket becomes a warm hug. A hand-drawn card sparks a smile. An art kit offers an escape into imagination. For families, seeing their child light up provides a priceless moment of relief amidst worry.
Our work also builds a stronger community. Volunteers find purpose and connection as they craft together, forging bonds across ages and backgrounds. Local businesses and hospitals partner with us, amplifying our impact. Together, we’re weaving a tapestry of kindness that uplifts kids, families, and our entire city.
We aim to deliver 500 care packages to children in hospitals like Phoenix Children’s and Banner Children’s. Every package matters because every child matters. By joining Hearts to Hands, you’re helping us turn hospital days into moments of hope.

Get Involved

Join Sofia Hileman and the Hearts to Hands campaign to make every child smile during a time of need. Donate, share, or volunteer to be part of this heartfelt mission. Together, we’re giving inspiration, resilience, love, and support to teens who need it most in the Greater Phoenix area.

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