2011 Preemie Power

Preemie Power Main Banner 2011 Kelli Kelley holding son Jackson born at 26 weeks Some heroes are smaller than others. Much smaller. No one knows this better than the parent of a preemie! Hand to Hold created Preemie Power – a photo/essay contest, team fundraiser, and family celebration – to recognize these tiny super heroes for the amazing obstacles they have overcome, often despite tremendous odds. Preemie Power also serves to educate the community about the difficult challenges preemies and babies born with special health care needs face during and after the NICU – sometimes for many years after their complicated births.

The second annual National Photo & Essay Contest, which ran from October 1 through November 13, 2011, honored 91 preemie families from 29 states and Canada. Read about the finalists, winners, and all the participants which are appearing regularly on our Preemie Power blog. Read more about all the amazing children who were entered in last year’s Preemie Power Photo/Essay Contest. Enjoy this 2011 Preemie Power Photo Contest Video of all the preemies who were featured in the 2011 contest. See a flier from the event ! And watch the video recap of the 2011 Preemie Power Family Celebration.

Photo Contest

“Thank you for forming such an incredible organization and wanting to help others through this very hard journey. And of course, thank you for creating the preemie power photo contest, it was truly one of the only times that Thurston’s life was all about him and how cute and wonderful and strong he is and not about the hospital life. That really got me through a good month and a half and it was so much fun for all of my family and friends involved. What a great and fun way to raise preemie awareness.”– Donna M., preemie mom

Parents from across the country were invited to share a photo of their precious child and story by participating in the Second Annual Preemie Power Photo/Essay Contest. The entry submission period ended September 17, 2011, when voting began! Supporters voted for their favorite super heroes by placing a vote each day (24 hours from your last vote) for one or multiple children.Voting ended November 1, 2011.

Preemie Power is all about celebrating our children’s accomplishments, strength and resiliency. Parents dazzled us with their preemie’s super hero feats for a chance to win prizes in three age categories and a special prize for the entrant with the most votes. Votes were free and no information was collected from the voters. We consider every preemie who enters a winner. Read more about the contest, check out the winners, finalists, and all the entrants. See the 2011 Preemie Power Photo Contest Video. Download Flyer.

Team Fundraising Contest

New this year is the Preemie Power Team Fundraising Contest which ran October 1-November 9, 2011. The contest gave parents, loved ones, healthcare professionals, companies and anyone who cares about increasing the support available to parents who have a child in the NICU and the opportunity to make a difference. Participation was simple. Participants tell their story and invite friends, family and network to support the cause. The top fundraising team, Scrappy Doo & His X-Men, received a prize package valued at $500 and the deep satisfaction of knowing they helped build a strong, sustainable support system and comprehensive resources that will help many more families for years to come.

Family Celebration

“Yeah! I said. I felt that way, too! The emotions were flying now, but they weren’t bad ones. They were ones of relief. I’d always known my reactions were perfectly normal. I’d heard other parents talk about it. But to hear someone else say them again — even after all this time — was such a comfort. I felt like I was talking to another veteran, someone who had been on the same battlefield as I had and had made it to the other side, scarred but alive. That’s what the Preemie Power event did for parents. On the surface, it was a party. In reality, it was something deeper.” –Andrea Ball, preemie mom & Austin American-Statesman reporter

Hand to Hold hosted the second annual Preemie Power Family Celebration and Regionwide NICU reunion on Sunday, November 13 from 1-3 p.m. More than 200 families, children and healthcare providers attended the public event, and enjoyed activities, refreshments and the unique fellowship of a community of families who have faced similar circumstances. The celebration was held in the Gym within the Fellowship and Education Building at Covenant Presbyterian Church (3003 Northland Dr, Austin). Photos (event & photo booth) and a video are available! The celebration featured birthday cake, a super hero theme and activities for all the super hero children and their siblings. Download flyer.

Children won cupcakes at the cupcake walk, posed with favorite super heroes, fished and spun the wheel for a prizes, jumped in the bounce houses, danced on the dance floor, created Lego creations, made super hero masks to take home, enjoyed cake and refreshments, and congratulated our 2011 Preemie Power Photo and Essay Contest winners and finalists. All participants past and present were recognized and honored. Richard Hammett, father of a preemie and COO of St. David’s Medical Center served as the Master of Preemies. Winners of this year’s contest were announced, where they will be presented with their prize packages valued at more than $500. Prizes include wonderful gifts from A Maggie Film, Baby Sense, Baby Blanket Music, Brooke West Photography, Carousel Designs, Kokopax, the Marty Barnes family, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, NurturMe, Onair Development, Pediped and more. Compass BBVA was also on hand to share about a new cause marketing program to benefit Hand to Hold.

Activities included the following:

Super Hero Photo Booth
Balloon Sculptures
Craft Table
Jumpy Houses
Carnival Games
Lego-Building Table
Toddler Play Area
Dance Party Area
An appearance by Shaggy, Scooby Doo & the Mystery Machine Gang
An appearance by H-E-B Buddy
Refreshments
and more!

Thanks to our 2011 Sponsors

Additional support provided by Beverly Demafiles Photography, Brand Builders Company, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Ian Jensen, Michelle’s Patisserie, Mimi’s Cafe, Mystery Inc., PeekabooICU, RiverKids Pediatric Home Health, Texas Clown Partys, Turner Construction, The Westin Hotel Austin and Zundunga Mexican Bistro.

See our 2010 Sponsors.

More Details

For sponsorship or featuring your goods/services at the 2011 event & photo/story online contest, visit the sponsorship benefits. If you have questions, please contact kelli [at] handtohold [dot] org.