Easterns Blog

A local organization works tirelessly to support families who received the diagnosis or have children who are receiving treatment in local hospitals. Both Maryann Mayhood and Laura Tierney have experienced firsthand what it’s like to have a child with a heart condition. Mayhood’s son Joseph was born with Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA), and Tierney’s son Lincoln was born with Tetralogy of Fallot with Pulmonary Atresia.

They call themselves heart moms and take pride in Mended Little Hearts (MLH), a nonprofit organization that helps families navigate life with child heart disease. Mayhood continued, “We stick together because no one else knows what you’re going through like a heart mom.”

Mended Little Hearts is helping families by providing resources, tools, and support. They transitioned from in-person visits to dropping off lunches and bravery bags during the pandemic. They partnered with Lost Dog Cafe, which helps to provide lunches to children and their families at children’s hospitals.

“To be able to have these lunches and have real food,” Tierney laughed. “No offense to the hospitals but it gets old, it really does.”

Joel Bassam with Easterns Automotive Group loves the organization’s work in the community.

“Our hearts were touched by the Mended Little Hearts program. This volunteer-led initiative is absolutely incredible. We want to support the bravery bags initiative by donating $2,000, so you can keep supporting these kids,” Bassam said.

“That helps so much. Thank you, Easterns!” Mayhood said in tears. “That goes so far. That’s what you get in a year, so that’s really big.”

The donation will allow Mended Little Hearts to continue feeding patients and their families.