Brighten A Heart Kids™
Comfort care totes and character friends for children in hospitals.
Scroll to meet the friends.
ᰔᩚ Brighten A Heart Kids™
Meet the Brighten A Heart Kids™ Friends
Brighten A Heart Kids™ is designed to help children feel a little more brave, understood, and supported during a hospital stay. Through healthcare facilities, we deliver cheerful totes and character friends that kids may relate to, offering comfort and a reminder that their community cares.
We’re creating a small group of character friends so children can recognize different feelings and personalities, whether they are quiet or outgoing, sensitive or silly, full of energy or needing extra rest. The goal is simple: a small moment of comfort, and a reminder that they are cared for.
Different feelings. Different ways to cope. Same heart.
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![Colorful knitted plush toy resembling a cheerful bee with a yellow body, orange antennae, green wings, a red heart on its belly, and a smiling face with black eyes and a curved mouth.]()
Pulelehua the Butterfly (poo-leh-LEH-hoo-ah)
Her name means butterfly in Hawaiian. Pulelehua loves fluttering into new places, like hospitals, nursing homes, and care centers, and reminding us that even the smallest act of kindness can brighten someone’s moment. Sometimes her tummy feels fluttery in unfamiliar places, but she takes one small step, then another.
If you feel nervous in new places but still try your best, you might be a little like Pulelehua.
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![A crocheted plush toy resembling a cute purple creature with black eyes, a smiling face, colorful ears, arms, and tail, with a yellow heart on its body.]()
Gertie the Axolotl
Gertie is easygoing, a little shy, and wonderfully different. Her feelings can be big sometimes, and she doesn’t always know what to say out loud, especially when she feels overwhelmed. But she has a bright imagination and is full of ideas. Often it’s easier for her to draw or write what she feels.
If you feel a lot on the inside, or you’re more comfortable expressing yourself quietly, you might be a little like Gertie.
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![Crocheted stuffed animal resembling a dog with a turquoise body, yellow ears and eye patch, orange collar with yellow heart, and a curly tail with a red heart at the tip.]()
Scout the Puppy
Scout has the heart of a helper. He’s friendly, curious, and loves being around other people. In our imaginations, he trots up and down the halls looking for someone who might need a friend. Scout understands what it’s like to miss home, and he reminds us that sometimes the kindest thing we can do is simply show up, sit beside someone, and stay.
If you feel best when you’re connecting with others, or you notice when someone feels alone, you might be a little like Scout.
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![Crocheted stuffed toy of a smiling lion with a beige face, brown body, teal paws, and a yellow heart on its belly, standing against a plain white background.]()
Opal the Sloth
Opal loves soft blankets, quiet corners, and very slow mornings. She reminds us that rest is not “being behind.” It’s a gentle, important part of healing. Opal gets it when your body feels tired or your brain feels full, and you need extra time to get comfortable.
If you feel better with breaks, quiet moments, or a slower pace, you might be a little like Opal.
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![A crocheted plush toy resembling a cute green dinosaur with yellow horns, a yellow belly, and a small yellow heart on its lower body. The dinosaur has black eyes, pink cheeks, and a smiling face.]()
Koa the Dragon (KOH-ah)
Koa looks big and brave on the outside, but he still gets nervous sometimes, especially in new places. His name means brave in Hawaiian. Koa reminds kids that being brave doesn’t mean you’re never scared. It means you keep going, one small step at a time. When worries show up, Koa takes one breath, asks one question, and takes the next small step.
If you have big worries but you still try, even a little, you might be a little like Koa.
ᰔᩚ Curated Comfort Tote Bags
A Brighten A Heart Kids™ comfort tote is thoughtfully designed to feel comforting, gentle, and supportive during a hospital stay.
Each tote is curated by age and includes a 6 × 6 piece of community art as a reminder that someone was thinking of them. Each tote may also include a character friend, a small comfort item, and a simple activity.
For children ages 1 to 5, every tote also includes a soft cover copy of our founder’s children’s book, Questions for Breakfast.
Items are selected to be low odor, non toxic, and easy for staff to handle.
a simple activity: curated by age, such as a coloring book with crayons, activity books with non-toxic markers
a quiet activity: a simple way to stay occupied and possibly feel more at ease
a kid-friendly comfort item, such as Brighten A H
a kid-friendly comfort item, such as Brighten A Heart Kids™ finger puppets or stuffed animal
ᰔᩚ Brighten A Heart Kids™ Works
The kinds of projects you might see
Because we work in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice programs, every Brighten A Heart Kids™ project is designed to be gentle and respectful. We:
follow our wording guidelines, avoiding “Get well soon,” illness-focused phrases, and religious language
use child-safe, non-toxic, low-odor art supplies and avoid glitter, aerosols, and strong chemical smells
work through partner facilities rather than giving items directly to individual patients, to protect privacy and support staff
If you’d like the full details about what to say, what to avoid, or which supplies to use, you’ll find that information on our Get Involved page and in the 6 × 6 Canvas & Card Guidelines.