Why Donate to
Wildhearts Bellingham?
100% of donations to Wildhearts Bellingham fund expanding our infrastructure, organizing and promoting exercise and educational opportunities and community outreach efforts.
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Our application for Recognition of Exemption by the IRS is being processed. Donors donating during the review period will be provided with the appropriate receipts. Upon approval, donations will become tax deductible.
Our Accomplishments
Since May, 2022, we’ve complemented meetups with clinics, speakers and roundtable discussions. And our list of support services is expanding rapidly.
The foundation we’ve built to build upon:
1. Achieved Proof of Concept within the hiking community.
-Weekly hikes and discussion groups. 20 active members.
2. Solid contacts have been developed within The Walking, Pickleball, Nordic Skiing, Running, Cycling Communities.
3. We are poised to apply the Hiking Model to The Walking, Pickleball and Nordic Skiing Communities in 2024.
4. Secured the services of a Certified Accountant working pro bono.
5. Secured the services of an Attorney working pro bono.
6. Three year Strategic Plan in place.
7. 2024 Plan ready for implementation.
8. Made significant progress in establishing our brand including being featured in major articles appearing in a widely read newspaper and magazine.
9. Qualified database in Mailchimp in place and being managed consistently.
10. Facebook Fundraising Template implemented successfully.
11. Have applied to the IRS for Recognition of Tax Exemption status.
12. Robust website is in place.
13. Private Facebook Group in place and being consistently managed. over eighty members.
14. Finances Related: Banking, Checking, PayPal, Square and Eventbrite accounts in place.
15. Have developed relationships with a deep bench of patient support services within both the general and cardiac communities.
16. Developed and deployed a First Aid Prevention and Response Clinic for hikers in Mt. Baker National Forest.
17. Additional safety related clinics are being developed for 2024.
18. A series of diet clinics are being developed for 2024.
19. Successfully implemented a series of three Roundtable Discussions on the Psychological Impact of Heart Disease facilitated by a Psychologist/Patient.
20. Implementing Support Groups.
21. Developing scalable model to help gyms/fitness centers to become “heart-smart’, meaning more capable of catering to the needs of members with heart disease.
Fighting Heart Disease Through Sport and Support
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A few of us have achieved high levels of athleticism. Most of us just do what we need to do to develop and sustain a vibrant body, mind and spirit.
One guy often sites what he calls the “upside to mediocrity”, a focus on balance that eludes many hyper-driven athletes. Wildhearts share that perspective. It serves us well as we recover and adapt to changing circumstances.
At the same time, we’re grateful for and apply the courage and determination our participation in athletics has given us.
Once again, WILDHEARTS Bellingham is all about paying it forward.
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Understanding comes at a premium for patients, their caregivers, family members and friends.
As with most major life experiences, nobody can appreciate what another is going through like someone who’s experienced it.
Often times, however, the ramifications of heart disease are exceptionally difficult to navigate creating a profound need to be understood.
Having major heart surgery is often a life changing experience. It changes some of us in ways we can’t possibly wrap our heads around.
The similarities, the common denominators, result in an appreciation of and a gratitude for life we never imagined was possible.
Wildhearts Bellingham was founded on the belief that gratitude that doesn’t translate to helping each other is only a feeling. It doesn’t really exist.
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Michael Phipps, a superstar coach for LLS’ Team in Training program describes our comfort zones as “beautiful places where nothing grows”.
Unfortunately, growth in body, mind or spirit requires becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable.
Whether its gearing up to snow shoe (My fingers are frozen!) or hitting the gym, DOING always requires a certain amount of discipline.
Wildhearts hold one another accountable and lighten that load by engaging in an ever-expanding array of opportunities to bond, transform and empower each other.