The Eva Martin Project donated stuffed animals to pediatric patients in several Franciscan Health facilities in Northwest Indiana to honor the memory of a late 3-year-old girl.
The charity in Southwest Michigan has donated nearly 12,000 stuffed animals and nearly 3,000 blankets in honor of Martin, who succumbed to injuries after drowning in the family pool in 2019. Paramedics rushed her to the hospital. Her family was in such a hurry to get to her side they didn't stop to grab any of her favorite stuffed animals, prompting her family to work to ensure children at hospitals could be comforted by stuffed animals.
The kids can keep them when they go home or to another hospital.
The Eva Martin Project donated 1,400 new stuffed animals to Franciscan Health at its Franciscan Health Michigan City hospital. They were distributed to pediatric patients in hospitals and outpatient surgery centers at Franciscan Health facilities in Michigan City, Chesterton, LaPorte, Dyer and Munster.
Rick and Rebekah Martin run the nonprofit that seeks to comfort kids receiving medical care.
“For a child, something as simple as getting their temperature checked can be a new, scary experience,” Rick Martin said. “To have a nurse come in with a stuffed animal that is friendly and brings a smile to their face can provide some comfort.”
The Eva Martin Project has donated four times to Franciscan Health's pediatric patients.
“We want to help as many local children as possible and Franciscan has always welcomed us with open arms,” Rick Martin said.
Franciscan Health’s Northern Indiana Division Vice President of Mission Integration Sister M. Petra Nielsen said the stuffed animals help the children cope.
“They are such a beautiful organization, and our pediatric patients and their parents, as well as our coworkers who care for them, are so grateful for the stuffies,” Nielsen said. “They are a source of comfort during a stressful time.”
