Feelie Hearts
Since BRIDGES opened in 1988, large red velvet hearts have been held by kids from 4 to 18 years old in 
their support groups as they find comfort while sharing the circumstances that brought them to BRIDGES, a family grief support center. Whatever the story brought by the child, comfort is needed. Feelie Hearts provide something tangible and comforting to hold on to.
At BRIDGES, there are big hearts and medium-sized hearts and tiny, pocket-sized hearts created by volunteer group facilitator, Margie Williams in memory of her young son. Other volunteers, Lenore Clem and Louise King sew hearts for BRIDGES by the thousands in all colors and soft, plushy fabrics.
BRIDGES started handing out Feelie Hearts to children to put in their pockets and take with them to school, or wherever they might need their hidden comfort. Stories began to pour in about circumstances in which the hearts were used. A teacher tells us about a child in her classroom who gave his small red
velvet Feelie Heart to a classmate who shared about her loss. A young girl gives her heart to her father when the parents divorce. Two young teens place their Feelie Hearts in their grandmother’s casket along with notes of special memories. BRIDGES Feelie Hearts have been mailed as far away as Australia and the Middle East as children send their messages of love, hope and healing to others who are experiencing pain.