Ridgefield student Anthony Moro-Baxter has faced many medical challenges. Other students teased him about his frequent absences and medical conditions. To help build understanding, he did something positive: Anthony created the Hand to Heart Project, helping students make cards for patients at Randall Children’s Hospital.
\r\nSouth Ridge Elementary School health assistant, LeeOni McKee, helped Anthony spread the word to teachers across the school. Anthony and his family delivered packets with blank cards, markers, and colored pencils to classrooms. And in a short time, the students created over 300 cards.
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Anthony Moro-Baxter with some of the cards South Ridge Elementary School created for his Hand to Heart Project.
South Ridge Elementary Health Assistant, LeeOni McKee was instrumental in getting the Hand to Heart Project started last year.
\r\nAnthony was proud to deliver the cards to the children’s hospital, where he had also been a patient. He even dropped additional supplies off at the hospital so the patients could make cards for one another. \r\n
\r\nAnthony’s mother, Stephanie Moro-Baxter, said, “Anthony knows he’s not the only one to have medical problems and understands that one of the hardest parts is feeling alone in the process. He wanted to reach out to other kids at Randall Children’s Hospital to make sure they knew they were not alone. They will have kids thinking of them and supporting them along the way.”\r\n
\r\nNow that Anthony is attending Union Ridge Elementary School, teachers there are continuing the project. They hope to make over 400 cards this year. And ten-year-old Anthony would love to see his Hand to Heart Project extend to other schools, classrooms, and organizations. \r\n
\r\n“A simple card of encouragement from one child to another can go a long way in bridging the gap of compassion between kids,” Anthony’s mother said. “I am very proud of him for coming up with a way to change his own circumstances as well as help so many kids.”\r\n
\r\nTo learn more about the Hand to Heart Project or to sign up to participate, check their Facebook page at https://tinyurl.com/yccnwysl Donations of card stock, markers, and colored pencils are also welcome. \r\n
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Anthony delivers cards to McKenzie, a Child Life Assistant, at Randall Children's Hospital.