Lots of Love in this Nonprofit Group.
The Hearts of Harvest Foundation was founded in 2003, fueled by a love of children and an unbelievable concern for those who support children with heart problems.

The fundraiser for this nonprofit organization actually started two years earlier, with three women, Becki B. Brown, Pam McCain, and Bonnie Smith, who have children of their own with heart conditions. Their pain fueled the passion to help other children and families that suffer.

Since 2001, they have contributed more than $215,000 to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, UCSF Children’s Hospital, Oakland Children’s Hospital, the American Heart Association, Camp Taylor -- and to individual families with children in health crisis.

The group’s operation is truly a labor of love, with an annual fundraising event for 350 people. This year will be an exception to the “annual” part, as the group takes time to regroup. As the three women explain it, growth has its downside when it happens quickly.

The women want to create a brochure and newsletter, go to classes and plan for a more efficient and successful nonprofit. Perhaps holding the fund-raiser every other year would suffice. The worst of all scenarios, they said, would be to burn out.

Being the smart women they are, they have come up with a plan. Fields for the Future is a new endowment campaign that will help to bear interest to maintain the foundation. The group hopes to raise $40,000, which includes a $20,000 matching gift for the endowment this year, bringing the endowment to $60,000 to fuel the foundation.

Contributions, then, are used as grants to foundations and groups solely involved with children’s heart conditions. Monies are not just given to a hospital; they must go directly toward children’s heart condition support.

Sometimes they go to Tracy families, but no family is ever paid directly. They pay for services the families need, such as a hotel stay at during treatment, transportation, and so on.

What does this small but powerful foundation board need now? The board is looking for strong business people for insight and expertise. Volunteers are needed to help with operations. And monetary gifts of $500 and above from businesses and individuals would help the board meet its Fields for the Future program endowment goal.

Lastly, the foundation is always looking for families who find themselves faced with a child with a medical emergency, heart or otherwise.

Passion can fuel the pump. In this case, the passion of the community is filtered through the hearts of three strong women, who definitely make a difference.

Profiles of Success is a regular feature in Our Town. Jaclyn Zoccoli is a Tracy resident.

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