CaringBridge Announces the “Share Your Heart” Contest Winner

by Melissa Maggio · March 12, 2013

More than 300 CaringBridge supporters from across the U.S. opened their hearts and entered the CaringBridge “Share Your Heart” photo, video, and essay contest in February, inspiring millions of people by sharing their everyday acts of kindness.

The three-week contest invited people to submit the fun, unique and interesting ways they share love and support with friends and family. Heartfelt stories and images poured in, including the photo of a daughter drawing a heart in the snow to welcome her mother home from the hospital, and the story of a family taking their grandmother to a three day concert reminding her that life is still worth living.

With more than 7,300 votes cast, the heartfelt entry that captured the most love was from Ellen Joyce, a social worker for Duke HomeCare and Hospice in Durham N.C. She shared a touching story about the nonprofit her 13-year-old daughter, Leanne, started to improve the lives of hospitalized children. Here is Ellen’s winning entry, which received 601 votes:

Positive Impact for Kids
My daughter’s nonprofit improves the quality of life for children receiving medical treatment in hospitals. She raises money and then donates gift cards and iPads to let the children know others care. If she wins, she will donate one of the iPad Minis for hospitalized children to use.

Ellen was inspired to enter the “Share Your Heart” contest by Leanne and her nonprofit organization, Positive Impact for Kids. Leanne founded the organization after being diagnosed with a congenital heart problem. While in the hospital, a volunteer gave her a gift in the waiting room, which made her feel cared for and supported.

“Her goal is to decrease pain, anxiety and stress for the children as well as improve their self-esteem,” says Ellen. “As the winner, she’s donating an iPad mini to the hospitalized children to further her mission.”

Pear Tree Greetings Helps Celebrate Sharable Moments
Everyone who “shared their heart” during the contest was entered in a random drawing to win one of ten $20 gift certificates from Pear Tree Greetings to help them stay connected and celebrate life’s sharable moments. The sweepstakes winners are:

Keri Estes-Cimorelli, Anna Will, Van Kirby, Gladys Bent, Jacque Pattisapu, Theresa Jenkins, Carol Stevenson, Carol Ducak, Carly Lanners and Michelle West

Share Your Heart Every Day
While the contest has ended, we encourage you to continue to share your acts of kindness in our comments section below.

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About CaringBridge
CaringBridge is a nonprofit offering many ways for people to care for each other during any type of health event. Our mission is to amplify the love, hope and compassion in the world, making each health journey easier. For more information, visit CaringBridge.org.