Heart Meter Charlotte NC

Year One

It’s hard to believe it’s been one year since I launched Heart Meter. I started this on July 14th of 2014 with the goal of bringing fun to children in the hospital through video games. With your support I’ve raised $2,827 and turned $2,019 (plus an overwhelming amount of used donations) into 149 games and 10 game systems across 7 different facilities. I have some plans for the remainder of the $808, but more on that later.

Levine Children’s Hosptial and Hemby Children’s Hospital, which I’ve donated 2 game systems and 73 games, both have huge oncology departments. But not only that, they use the Wii and games I’ve donated for physical therapy to hone motor skills. How awesome is that?

Through this I’ve also been introduced to Safe Alliance, who provides hope and healing to women trying to escape dangerous and horrifying domestic violence situation. I’ve given them 2 game systems and 18 games for the families to play at their safe haven.

I’ve also been fortunate enough to support The Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte and Hospitality House of Charlotte. They both provide lodging for families with loved ones in the hospital. As you can imagine that’s a terribly difficult situation and I’m proud to have provided them with 1 game system and 23 games.

I’ve also expanded my reach a little as well. I was in Raleigh for a friend’s wedding and decided to use this opportunity to expand my contacts there. A college friend (hi Whitney!) scoured her contacts and put me in touch with WakeMed Children’s Hospital. They see on average 5,000 - 6,000 patients per year and had no one providing them with video games. I jumped at the opportunity to help and was fortunate enough to provide them with an Xbox 360 and 4 games to get them started.

If I’m honest I was never one to volunteer often before starting Heart Meter. I was embarrassingly uninvolved in the amazing nonprofit community we have in Charlotte. But through Heart Meter and the countless amazing people I’ve met I wanted that to change. I hosted two gaming days with Holy Angels of Belmont where some friends and I set up 3 gaming stations and played video games with their residents. I also provided them with 3 gaming systems and 24 games, but they showed me that it’s not just the donation that matters, but actually spending time with their residents. No real training required, just go and have fun with them. Each volunteer day there made me proud of everyone that supports me, and also left me wanting to do more.

The community here has been amazing to me. I've met so man inspriational people like Braylon Beam, and so many people have wrapped their proverbial (and often literal) arms around me and offered so much support. On top of all the introductions, press (1, 2, 3, and 4), and crushing not one, not two, but three fundraising goals, is that support.

I’ve told this story countless times, but the idea for Heart Meter came from me reading an article in the Observer about Chris West. At the time Chris was 15 and battling hodgkins lymphoma for the third time. He’s an amazingly brave and resilient person. Chris is 16 now and still fighting. He and his family are having a rough time, which brings me to my one year donation. I’m not donating any games or gaming systems this month. I’m taking the $400 I would put toward that and giving it to the West family. If you’re able I would encourage you to do the same. If not then, please shoot some words of encouragement over to them. I really want him to realize he has more people in his corner than he knows.

A lot’s changed in my life in one year. I get that I’m not providing clean water, food, or shelter for those that need it. I’m not funding research that’s going to lead to huge breakthroughs and save lives. But I’m doing what I can, and what your support has allowed me to do. I can’t thank you all enough for this opportunity. If year two is as eventful as year one, then I have much to look forward to. Game on.

Sign up for updates!

Like what you read? Great! Use the form below to subscribe for updates.