Small Wonder Warriors aim to make a big difference

A group of like-minded local friends has teamed up to bring support, encouragement and an assortment of gifts to the families and caregivers of critically ill children at Nemours Children’s Hospital.

Ali DiSabatino said she was inspired to create Small Wonder Warriors based on the organization Lowcountry Warrior Moms launched by her best friend Krista and two other women after hearing about a mother named Rachele who lost her son Zach on Mother’s Day in 2014.

Lowcountry Warrior Moms works with the Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital in Charleston to treat mothers with special gifts on Mother's Day.

DiSabatino reached out to friends Dee Dee Montgomery and Brittany Danahy, who were eager to get on board. While Lowcountry Warrior Moms focuses on mothers, Small Wonder Warriors chose to deliver gifts when families least expect it – in this case, Friday, March 22.

To boost the spirits of families who sit and sleep at the bedsides of their hospitalized children, Small Wonder Warriors will deliver goodie bags filled with anonymous notes of encouragement, useful and supportive items, and a few indulgent surprises.   

The group of friends has worked closely with Nemours nursing staff to ensure what they are providing will be well received by families and permitted by the hospital. 

Bags are filled with toiletry items, snacks, a neck pillow, phone charger, sound machine, a journal and other comfort items for a hospital stay.

Students from schools across the state, including Cape High, Lewes Elementary, Rehoboth Elementary, Sussex Academy, The Independence School and Tower Hill contributed by writing anonymous notes of encouragement for each recipient.

DiSabatino said she is thankful to the many corporate sponsors who have helped launch Small Wonder Warriors. Participants include Bad Hair Day?, Beach Babies, Coastal Cottage Renovations, DSM Commercial, Grove & Evelyn, Half Full, Harrington Raceway, Kids Cottage, Kindle, Lululemon, Nicola Pizza, Pink Leopard, R&Co, Sotheby's, The Starboard, Styled and The Sheridan Group.

While the annual donation is set for March 22, donations of handwritten notes, items for the gift bags and monetary gifts are accepted year-round.

Small Wonder Warriors is a 501(c)3 organization based solely on tax-deductible donations, and sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information and to help, go to smallwonderwarriors.com.