Each year, our team spreads a small dose of hope by packaging and delivering Bags of Hope to local patients.
In 2024, with help from multiple caring partners, we put together over 200 Bags of Hope (breaking last year’s record!)
Our team then helped personally deliver the bags to individuals and families facing hospital stays this holiday season, including at Magee Rehab, Bryn Mawr Rehab, Temple Health, MossRehab, Penn Medicine, and Jefferson Health.
The Bags of Hope Story
The inspiration for Bags of Hope came in 2011…
At the time, our now Executive Director Kelly L Green’s mother was hospitalized, isolated, and recovering from a broken neck on Christmas Day.
She received a small gift filled with thoughtfulness and love. That simple act of kindness brought her unexpected joy during an unimaginably difficult time and planted the seed for what would become our annual Bags of Hope tradition.
In 2018, we launched Bags of Hope to carry forward that spirit of compassion.
Each bag is filled with simple necessities, fun toys, an encouraging card, and information about Help Hope Live—small but meaningful gestures that remind patients they are not alone.
Our Bags of Hope Partners
Bags of Hope would not be possible without the generosity of our donors and the tireless dedication of our staff, Ambassadors, and partners.
For the third year, the nonprofit received funding support for the bags from the Do Gooders.
Our friends at Prelude Solutions with CEO & founder Cate Heaman purchased and packed Bags of Hope again this year—with a little help from a festive assistant:
The Penn Men’s Lacrosse Team also purchased and packed Bags of Hope this year. Assistant coach and defensive coordinator Casey Ikeda was inspired to lead the effort in memory of his dad, the late Help Hope Live Board Member Bruce Ikeda.
Ambassadors in Action
Our client Ambassador Josh Basile, Esq. dropped off a few Bags of Hope to brighten the holidays and donate assistive tech to a few patients at Medstar National Rehabilitation Hospital in D.C.:
And Ambassador Linda Jara helped deliver bags to Jefferson Health’s Transplant Unit, where she received her own heart transplant:
Our SCI Ambassadors Katrina and Stephan Golden packed and personalized their own Bags of Hope:
And they spread holiday cheer to Wake Med Rehab with their Bags of Hope handoff:
Wake Med’s Jeanne Dibbert, LCSW, observed:
“Everyone seemed so surprised to be remembered by strangers!”
We are moved by the way this Bags of Hope project just keeps growing, engaging Ambassadors and medical professionals nationwide to make a difference.
Make New Friends & Keep the Old
We were excited to share hope with a new partner this year as we teamed up with Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital to brighten the holidays:
We loved the kind words from Martha Rudi, MSN, RN, CCRN, Interim Vice President of Operations:
“This will bring something special to our patients’ days!”
Help Hope Live’s Brand Champion Barrett Brooks, former Philadelphia Eagle and host of NBC Philly’s Birds Huddle, joined Help Hope Live staff at Magee Rehab to deliver Bags of Hope room to room with the support of Magee staff.
Said Barrett:
“Help Hope Live brings joy and hope to patient families all year round! I’m excited to support their mission of spreading warmth and cheer to patients who can’t make it home for the holidays.”
From Julie Hensler-Cullen, Director of Quality & Education at MossRehab:
“They were well received today. What a special way to brighten the spirits of our hospitalized patients!”
Together, we are spreading more than hope—we are offering connection, comfort, and care to those who need it most.
Thank You!
Your support makes it possible for our team to continue to positively impact patient families both locally and nationally.
From gestures of hope in our own backyard to trusted medical fundraising in all 50 states, our work is only possible because of you.
Thank you for fueling another year of hope and impact!
