Mended Little Hearts Bravery Bag

Bravery Bag Program The Bravery Bag Program has evolved into the signature program of Mended Little Hearts National Organization, previously known as “Care Bags”. It is the number one recruitment method for new members and is a way that prospective members learn about who we are and what we do. With this evolution, great efforts have been taken to rebrand the entire Bravery Bag Program with PURPOSE, EMPATHY, and IMPACT!

Bravery Bag Rebranding To further enhance and publicize the Mended Little Hearts National brand, we have a new logo and have carefully chosen quality MLH branded items such as: Bravery Bags, Wristbands, Bravery Lion, Courageous Token, Pen and Little Heart Packet. TM

2015 Goal 10,000 Bravery Bags

Bravery Bag Program Needs: Branding Consistency National Recognition Honor Bravery

Have you ever Googled Mended Little Hearts Care Bags? Inconsistent Care Bag

2015 GOAL: Google Mended Little Hearts Bravery Bag and see CONSISTENT images across the U.S.

Little Heart Pack Little Heart Pack was sponsored by Medtronic and National currently has 10,000 copies ready for our Bravery Bags. This is an updated packet for heart families with information on stress, tracking appointments and medications, etc. Groups previously used similar information and place it in a folder with “Care Bags”.

What if our group doesn’t have a Bravery Bag/Visiting Program? If your group does not have a Bravery Bag/Visiting Program, MLH still needs YOUR HELP! Your child may not have a local heart hospital for surgeries but they are having heart surgeries and procedures somewhere. The Bravery Bag program is the number one way to reach new families and potential members, Bravery Bags goal is to be in ALL our heart surgical hospitals. You can help by sponsoring a MLH group that does deliver Bravery Bags.

MLH Needs All Groups to Participate! MLH needs all groups to support our NATIONAL cause to provide consistent MLH-branded Bravery Bags. If your group does not deliver Bravery Bags, MLH still needs your support! Why? Your heart child and prospective members are having surgeries at these nationwide hospitals and then come home to your chapters. How to help: Make a general donation to the Bravery Bag program. Sponsor another MLH group with MLH-branded Bravery Lions and Bravery Bags *National will assist groups with fundraising efforts in the next webinar series

Ready, Set, GO…. New Bravery Bags are already at National Office to be rolled out! To ensure National consistency, ALL Bravery Bag MUST have these items: MLH National is sponsoring: Bravery Bag, wristband, pen and Little Heart Pack MLH local group fundraises for: Custom MLH Bravery Lion ($4) & birth certificate, token ($2) and token card *Printable Lion birth certificate and token card are on the coordinators page *Little Heart Pack are ordered with Rene and only shipping needs to be paid

What Does My Group Receive? To ensure CONSISTENCY moving forward, ALL groups that deliver Bravery Bags will receive from National the following MLH-branded items: Bravery Bag ($2), Wristband (50¢), Pen (40¢) Groups are responsible for ONLY paying shipping. To ensure branding consistency, “Care Bags” will NOT be delivered after August 1st 2015. (Quantities of 25 & 50 Bravery Bags can be shipped out at a time) *If larger quantities are needed, please contact Jodi 50 Bravery Bags $125 Value (Free to Groups) Shipping (Cost to groups)

Suggested Items to Include in Bravery Bag (Must be NEW): Pocket-sized tissue packets Crayons - 8 count Coloring books Crossword or suduko puzzle books Children’s books Blank journals (approx. 5" x 7") Lip balm Travel-sized hand sanitizer Travel-sized toiletries Individually packaged snacks *On branded Bravery Bag items (water bottles, pens, journals, etc.) only MLH National or local MLH group logos are acceptable.

How is National Funding Bravery Bags? Thanks to the success of Roar & Run and private donations, National is able to fund the Bravery Bags, wristbands and pens for groups. Please remember, National continues to work on grants and sponsorships for Bravery Bags, lions and tokens. If National does obtain funds for lions and tokens these would be distributed to our groups free of charge!

How do you get Bravery Bags? Mandy Sandkuhler Mandy.sandkuhler@mendedhearts.org Rene Battles Rene.battles@mendedlittlehearts.org 1-888-HEART99 *Located on coordinators page there are 2 ordering forms with ordering instructions

Ordering Forms These forms will help National maintain an organized ordering system.

Other Options for Groups Mini Bravery Bag Bravery Chest These are options for groups in addition to Bravery Bag, not as a replacement.

Mini Bravery Bag Mini Bravery Bags are ideal for non-surgical heart patients, cath patients, teens, etc. Mini Bravery Bags are for groups trying to reach out to more than just our heart surgery patients. Groups can reach more heart patients while not investing as much of a financial responsibility as Bravery Bags. These drawstring bags should at least include: MLH info, wristband, comfort item for child and something for the parent. Cost of these bags are about $2.50 each and are not provided by National for free as Bravery Bags. *These bags will NOT replace Bravery Bag tote for any group. If your hospital only requests these drawstring bags, it should be approved by National first. We currently know only MLH West Michigan uses drawstring bags not totes.

Bravery Chest Another option to offer support and recruit new MLH members is with a Bravery Chest. This Bravery Chest is ideal for hospitals without a Bravery Bag program or groups wanting to add more to the program by reaching out to heart families at the local cardiology office. Required color of Bravery Chest itself can be wooden or white. The logo must remain as shown. Replacing National website for your local MLH website can be added. Your local name: MLH of Chicago, of Houston is acceptable as well. Your MLH group and hospital can decide the items your Bravery Chest holds like: toys, crafts, heart pillows etc.

Order Branded Merchandise If you are interested in purchasing items such as wristbands, water bottles, pens etc. We have this items already branded for you. Please remember if you are printing local, National logos must remain the same but your MLH National created group logo and website is acceptable as well. You can also purchase Bravery Bags and Mini Bravery Bags with Frank as well. *Ordering bags with Frank, you only receive the bag itself Frank Varljen frank@greentruckmarketing.com 804-897-3898 804-399-8657 www.greentruckmarketing.com *When contacting Frank, please have: item name, quantity, and shipping address enclosed

Need More Help with Bravery Bags and Hospital Visiting? Melanie Toth-National Visiting Coordinator mtoth@mlhchicago.org Part 2: Fundraising for Bravery Bags Elizabeth Schurrer