Charlie's Story - Mission of Giving

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Charlie's life began with an unplanned adventure.  After being emergency AIRVAC'd from Hawaii to San Diego's Naval Medical Hospital Charlie's Mom Alina, gave birth to sweet Charlie while waiting for her husband, Brandon, an Active Duty Marine, to join her with her 2 other little boys. 

Now five months old, Charlie recently transferred from the NICU to the PICU at NMCSD- Naval Medical Center San Diego (Balboa). The family was able to stay at the Fisher House for almost 3 months so they could be close to Charlie.  Recently, they moved into San Diego military housing and are just getting settled.

You can look into his big brown eyes and see that Charlie has a story to tell. This little bundle of love was born with the spirit to soldier on and he is a fighter.  While Charlie does not have an official diagnosis yet, his multiple medical needs include reliance on a feeding tube, a tracheostomy, ostomy bag, oxygen and a suction machine, too. Due to Charlie's extensive medical and surgical needs, the team at HP put a focus on organization and creating a peaceful place for Mom to curl up and cuddle with her little boy.  The team wanted to ensure that Mom and Dad had a room that would enable them to store all of his medical supplies - along with all the things a new Mom needs for a nursery - books, blankets, toys and more. 

The ability for HP to prepare Charlie's room for his arrival home is such a gift for this family. The team focused on providing a calm, relaxing place for Mom and Charlie to relax together.  The color scheme was deliberately neutral to provide a peaceful atmosphere.  

There are many children like Charlie in San Diego but this family was chosen for a makeover because they exemplify the spirit of Cecily's Closet.  From day one - they had to pick up and leave their home and family in Hawaii yet they remain positive, optimistic and ready to take on the challenges of raising a child with special needs. In just five months they have already become such wonderful advocates for their son.  They are working so hard to ensure he receives the best care possible and to ensure he has a room that will inspire him to grow and achieve his full potential.  

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  • Thank you HP, the world’s largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing,  personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure to solve customer  problems. We were so excited
    when volunteers from HP reached out to Cecily's Closet to see how they could
    participate in our first ever Mission of Giving
    Program. 

    From the moment I met the women on this team I knew Charlie was going to be in excellent hands.  Their giving spirit and
    generous nature has led to extraordinary results! Thank you to the HP team for making Charlie's room a special place.  We can't wait until he comes home from the hospital so he can enjoy his new room and
    the comforts of knowing the family is together under the same roof.

    Thank you to HP volunteers: Christy
    Mitchell, Kim  Zargarian, Mar  Borowinski, Dee Dee Lehner and Deena Tuttle, and Christopher Hart from Jack Powel Chrysler/Dodge for all of hard-work, time and effort! Thank you to Juan Salazar &
    Julie Keeler for the HP design and creation of the beautiful tree with leaves blowing in the wind.  This stunning contribution to the room really made this space come to life! 

    In addition to the beautiful wall art, HP provided the family with 3 Bourdeaux prints (pictured on top of the hutch) of Charlie and
    his parents and several SuperHero wall decals for Charlie's brothers room.  They recognized the need to make the siblings feel extra special, too!

    • And thank you to San Diego Family 
    Magazine     for donating so many toys for not only Charlie but his two big brothers, too.


    Precious Charlie - 5 months