In 2014, Andon and Noelle Mikels decided to give up Birthday presents. Instead, they had kids bring a new book, toy or stuffed animal and donated it to INOVA Fairfax Hospitals Child Life Program. The Child Life Program exists in many larger hospitals or hospitals that serve a large pediatric population. Child life specialists are trained professionals with expertise in helping children and their families overcome life’s most challenging events. The Mikels Family benefited from the Child Life Program at INOVA Fairfax Hospital during Noelle's multiple long hospitalizations due to a chronic lung disease. They received so many gifts and nice distractions to help them cope with long hospitalizations and being so far away from home. Andon and Noelle have started Mikels Missions. They want to encourage other children to forgo birthday presents and collect items for their local Child Life Program! They also have made the commitment to continue to give up birthday presents and collect toys, books and stuffed animals for INOVA's program! Last year, they were able to donate over 50 books, several stuffed animals and 2 gift cards to the program! They look forward to seeing how far their mission will go across the US. Local friends....if you would like to participate during your birthday party. We will happily pick up and deliver items to local hospitals. US Friends.... The goal is to have participation in each state! Please post a picture of your items and which hospital they will be going to!! Periodically, we'll do updates on the progress! Can't wait to have all of our friends help with Mikels Mission! Email us for more info (don't worry, my mom reads our email before we do!) MikelsMissions@gmail.com
