Testimonials
Here's what others are saying about us... |
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| "When our son was born in May 2011, he spent his first week in the NICU. He received 2 books during his stay. It meant a lot to us, to know that during our joyful, yet trying time, that he (we) were thought of. He is now almost 2 and we read every night, and those books are part of our reading a few times a week. Thank you so much!!" - Jasmine (April 2013) | ||||
| "My son, Charlie, received a Mighty Machines book when he was at Lutheran a few months ago. He sleeps with that book every night. He loves anything with wheels and cats and dogs. So each night we have to have our 2 favorite stuffed cats (Kitty and Pepper) our 2 favorite stuffed dogs (Woof and Puppy), our blanket and our Mighty Machines book. Thank you for what you do :) " - Lisa (February 2013) | ||||
"Almost 3 weeks ago, I gave birth to our first child at Dupont Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was a preemie, gestational age of 27 weeks. She has been in the NICU ever since, but has been transferred to Lutheran Children's Hospital. The first time Kate's Kart came through the NICU, I was very impressed. I read on the bookmark that was given with the book about how it got started, and it brought tears to my eyes. I just want to thank everyone that helps with the organization for what you do for these children. Although baby Kate is now gone, I'm sure she is sitting up in Heaven smiling and watching over all of these kids she has touched. Thanks to her and her family, my baby, Raela, now gets read a bedtime story provided by Kate's Kart every night. Keep up the great work, and thanks again for providing such a wonderful organization. Take care and God bless!" - Erika (January 2013) |
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"I was volunteering today and met a woman who was so inspired by baby Kate's story that she named her daughter after her. She gave her daughter "Kate" as a middle name. These stories are what keep me volunteering." - Coleen (January 2013) |
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| "We have spent our New Year here at Dupont Hospital. I've been pretty upset about it, but your kindness to stop by and offer my son a book, I really have just felt touched. He really loves the book. Thank you for putting a smile on his face." - Heather (January 2013) | ||||
| "My son was in the hospital today. While we waited for results of some tests, a nurse brought him a book. This is not the first time we have received a Kate's Kart book, but each time, we are so very thankful for your program. He smiled and perked right up when he got his "prize". Thank you." - Melissa (November 2012) | ||||
 "Jack and Max loved the books they received while in the NICU, so we decided to collect books for Kate's Kart at their 1st birthday party to donate. Thank you Kate's Kart." - Dawn (November 2012) |
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| "I wanted to say a huge thank you to Kate's Kart. My 21-month-old son was in the hospital a week ago where he fought off pneumonia for several days. He was just not himself at all, and it was much harder to get a smile out of him. What a joy it was to my heart when he woke up from his nap with a new book, at which he smiled and smiled because it had "bo's" (bugs). It certainly made his day, and it made mine to see him smile!" - Alyssa (October 2012) | ||||
| "I just wanted to thank you for everything you do. My Little boy, Axel, is currently in the NICU and we get books from you at the hospital. It really lightens the day knowing someone who has never met us and other parents, is giving and showing love through books. We have a special space for all his books and I am telling people about you in hopes of helping your cause. Again, Thank you for supporting us." - Sarah, David, Aiden & Axel Sharpe (October 2012) | ||||
| "My daughter was at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne for a few days this week. We got two wonderful books (one for her and one for my son). I just wanted to say thanks. It brightened her spirit and made being away from home a little bit more bearable. What a wonderful organization. With love, the Rose family. (September 2012) | ||||
| "I want to thank Kate's Kart for all of the books provided to my dearest Peyton during her NICU stay, and all other hospitalizations. The books have come in handy to not only her, but her older sister. They both enjoy reading the books and touching the touch-n-feel ones." - Ashley (June 2012) | ||||
"My 3 month old daughter, Rebekah, was hospitalized on 6/9/12 in LaGrange and transferred to Parkview North's Pediatric ICU in Fort Wayne on 6/11/12. She was diagnosed with pertussis (whooping cough). My husband, Nick, and I have stayed with her in the hospital the entire time, and as a matter of fact, I am typing this from the hospital. We were married 6/19/12, and this experience has shown me his love for our family. We have four other children, and he is the only one with a job. This hospital stay has wiped out every penny we have, forced us to leave our other children, who are 1, 2, 6, and 9 years old with relatives, and has forced us to watch our baby suffer to breathe and eat. Today, after my husband left for work and I was standing by Rebekah's crib in the ICU, there was a knock on the door of her room. Two lovely ladies were standing there with a cart of brand new books. They explained the program to me, helped me pick out a book to read to my daughter, gave me a bookmark, and an invitation to the Ice Cream Social. After they left, I sat by her bed and cried. Just that simple act of giving her a book and being so kind really raised my spirits. We haven't a penny to our name, miss our other children like crazy, and are starting out as newlyweds in a hospital room with our 3 month old, wondering how we will make it through. I hope you realize how much hope and love your program gives families. I know it did ours. Thank you so much for caring and giving back to others, we greatly appreciate it." - Samantha, Nick, Carson, Kody, Julianna, Rayland, and Baby Rebekah (June 2012) |
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"To the parents of little Kate and the wonderful volunteers at Parkview Main....my name is Melissa, and 3 years ago my little angel was in the PICU. She had a major operation and was on life support. The doctors in the ICU said they thought she would never be able to come off of the respirator, and later that day, the doctors said that her lung collapsed. After the nurses pulled me out into the waiting room, it was then that I met one of the Kate's Kart volunteers. This woman saw me crying, kneeling down as I prayed for God to save my daughter. She came up to me, put her hands on my shoulder, and said, 'Miss, would you mind if I prayed with you?' I nodded yes, and this wonderful woman, who didn't know me or my situation, knelt down and prayed with me. I was later called back into my daughters room where she miraculously began to breathe on her own! A day later, that same lady who prayed with me found me as she was passing by giving other children books from her cart. She stopped, gave me a book to read to my daughter, and said, 'Don't you worry sweetie, God's got this all under control.' I don't know the woman's name, but it was because of her that I was renewed in strength for my daughter. I will always be grateful for such a compassionate, kind, and loving woman. I believe in angels here on Earth, and in my heart I know that she is one of them. God bless you all in Kate's Kart! I hope and pray for many many more generations of your good works, wonderful volunteers, and heartwarming books to share with our children. Thank you for all you do!" - Melissa (June 2012) |
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"In February of 2011, our son was born at Dupont Hospital and was immediately taken to the NICU as he was 6-weeks early and was unable to "eat" because his sucking reflex had not yet developed. There was our little 4 lb., 15 oz., love of our lives, lying under a "bili" light with a little black mask on and feeding tube down his nose. During our 10 day stay, Kate's Kart visited the NICU on more than a couple occassions, and each time we were so grateful for the smiling faces of the volunteers and for something to read to our son instead of focusing on medical concerns. Then months later, in November, our 2-year-old daughter was diagnosed with a rare metabolic disorder, and during our stay at Lutheran Hospital, Kate's Kart again came to visit. This time the joy came to us from the look on our daughters face when she was told she could keep the book and take it home with her. What a truly remarkable way to honor the memory of Kate, and a selfless way to put a smile on so many other families' faces...and to give a gift to the children who have to endure so much. Thank You." - Jodi Hamilton (June 2012) |
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| "Kate's story is so touching. My son currently resides in the NICU at Parkview Regional Medical Center. We look forward to reading him his new book each week when Kate's Kart visits his room. We would like to thank you for sharing your story, creating this program, and for all of the books." - Derek, Blair & Hunter Lipely (April 2012) | ||||
| "Our son, Colton, was born May 17, 2006. With a lot of health issues over the past 6 years - in and out of hospitals - we still have the very first Kate's Kart book that was brought to his hospital room at Lutheran Hospital by Baby Kate's parents in June, 2008." - Debbie (March 2012) | ||||
"My first daughter was in the NICU at Lutheran hospital two years ago. It was a scary time for us as a family, but your kindness shown through books made the stay easier. Now, two years later, my daughter Grace loves to read more than anything. Her favorite book is "Barnyard Dance", one that we received through Kate's Kart. I am reminded every time we read the book and I see the sticker on the back just how blessed and fortunate we are by our dauhter. Now almost exactly two years later, we sit in the NICU unit at Lutheran with our second daughter that was just born. I received a book from Kate's Kart today for Ella, and was reminded again how blessed I am. Thank you for showing kindness to others in the midst of your own heartache. I pray that you will be blessed beyond what you have blessed others." - Lauren Snyder (March 2012) |
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| "My boys and I were reading books tonight before bed. When we were done, we turned it over and I saw the Kate's Kart sticker on the back. It has been almost exactly 3 years since my son was in the NICU at Lutheran Hospital, but I vividly remember what a blessing it was to have such an unexpected surprise during such a stressful time. It made my day! I think often about how special your organization is. Thank you for all you do." - Kristi (February 2012) | ||||
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Twin brothers, Max and Jack, recently spent 13 days in the Parkview North NICU. "Kate's Kart was such a bright spot to our stay there. My husband and I are forever grateful for your wonderful organization and plan on contributing in some way in the near future. Thank you for your kindness and generosity." - D.Y. via Facebook (September 2011) |
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"It was wonderful meeting you [Krista] and Kate's grandmother last week at Parkview North! Jackson was born on Thanksgiving day followed by his twin sister Avery at only 27 weeks and 2 days. Avery passed the following day but Jackson continues to improve daily. Hopefully this month or next we will be able to take Jackson home with us, which is all the way to Oklahoma City (we were up visiting family when the twins decided to surprise us by coming early). Thank you so much for all the wonderful books! Jackson loves being read to and will have something to enjoy for years to come!" -
Chauncey, Megan, and Jackson (January 2012)
