This October, Core Bank was honored to award a $5,000 Community Impact Award to the Healing Hugs Project – a nonprofit focused on providing care and comfort items to pediatric patients and families with them. Their key initiative is making and distributing homemade blankets, which bring comfort and joy to children in hospitals.
From Patient to Provider: The Heart Behind Healing Hugs
Claire, the founder of HHP, understands what it’s like to journey through frequent hospital stays and visits. Born as a preemie with a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH), she experienced frequent illness as a child. She still battles the lasting effects of CDH, and understands more than most how small care items and gestures of kindness during hospital stays can have a big impact.
About 1.5 years ago, Claire began making blankets for pediatric patients and quickly gained support from her family and church. Her first volunteer event hosted over 60 people to help make blankets. It was “quite the blessing!” Claire told us. Since then, Healing Hugs has expanded to not only give blankets to children but also care packages and art supplies for both patients and their families.
“While sitting in the Children’s Hospital infusion center receiving treatment myself, I realized there was a shelf sitting in the infusion center displaying dozens of the HHP blankets. I got to watch as the other patients lit up as they dug through the brightly colored blankets to find the one they liked best. They each would pick out the blanket and ran back to their seat so they could cuddle up with their new comfort item. Tears began to form as I watched everything I had envisioned for HHP play out right in front of me. That moment made all of my hard work worth it.”
Growing the Mission: HHP’s Vision for 2026
In 2025 alone, HHP has hosted over 20 volunteer events, and has donated over 500 blankets and 100 personal care packages. These have gone to Children’s Nebraska, UNMC, Boys Town, CHI, and Rainbow House. 100% of all Healing Hugs donations go towards purchasing materials (fabric, care package items, art supplies, etc.). In the coming year they are planning to expand their reach in exciting new ways.
“There are lots of amazing things in store for HHP this coming year! We plan on continuing to make blankets for the pediatric patients of Omaha and care packages for moms staying at the Rainbow House as well as launching new programs such as art supply kits and hospital room makeovers! We cannot wait to see what 2026 brings!”
Due to HIPAA regulations, Claire cannot yet deliver items personally. However, that will change soon as she turns 18 in a few months. Claire graduates with the class of 2026 and plans to pursue nursing with a focus on patient advocacy.
Get Involved With Healing Hugs
Healing Hugs hosts frequent events for volunteers to join. You can also host your own Blanket Event where HHP provides all the materials and instructions. Don’t wait to get involved! Learn more about Upcoming Events or how to host an Event on their website. Claire will be hosting a blanket-making event here at Core Bank for employees to participate in this January.
Keep up with Healing Hugs through their Instagram @healing.hugs.project – updates and pictures are posted frequently.
We are so proud to support the Healing Hugs Project. Thank you for the many ways you uplift children and families facing illness.
