Amazing Little Hearts Created by heart families for heart families.
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Created by heart families,

for heart families.

We provide direct, compassionate support to congenital heart defect (CHD) families. Guided by those who have walked this road before, we stand with you from diagnosis through surgery, recovery, and home transitions.

How We Help Who We Are Hear from Families
A mother and daughter smiling together at a heart community event, with colorful heart decorations in the background.
Members of the North Texas heart community smiling together at a Medical City Children's Hospital gathering.
A woman and two young children posing beside a large smiling red heart mascot at a heart community event.

Our story.

Amazing Little Hearts began in 2014 as a way for heart families and volunteers to care for one another through the realities of Congenital Heart Disease.

From the beginning, ALH has been shaped by people with personal ties to the CHD community. Parents, loved ones, and volunteers came together to offer encouragement, help meet needs during hospital stays, create moments of connection for families, and support children and families beyond medical care.

Like many volunteer-run organizations, ALH became quieter during and after COVID. Hospital access changed, family gatherings became harder, volunteer capacity shifted, and the way people connected was different. Around 2023, ALH began rebuilding more actively, with a renewed focus on reaching families, strengthening communication, supporting events and drives, and making it easier for donors, volunteers, and community partners to get involved.

Today, Amazing Little Hearts continues to serve Texas families affected by CHD through volunteer-led support, family connection, hospital-based outreach, and relationships within the North Texas heart community.

How ALH supports families.

Amazing Little Hearts supports Texas heart families in ways that can help meet needs, create connection, and remind families that others are thinking of them.

Much of this support happens through volunteer-led efforts connected to hospital stays, family gatherings, seasonal events, and community drives. Depending on current needs and volunteer capacity, ALH may help provide or coordinate:

During hospital stays

  • Snack cart and wish list donations
  • Meals when available
  • Hospital events and parties

Bringing families together

  • Holiday activities and toy drives
  • Family events
  • Opportunities to connect

Supporting the
heart community

  • North Texas Heart Moms Group
  • Supporting Camp Brave Heart
  • Raising awareness about CHD
Texas heart families reached each year
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Each year, Amazing Little Hearts reaches approximately 300 Texas families affected by Congenital Heart Disease.

Meet the people behind ALH.

Amazing Little Hearts is guided by board members and volunteers who bring personal connection, care, and a shared commitment to Texas heart families. Together, they help shape ALH’s work, strengthen community relationships, and keep the organization moving forward.

Portrait of Kayla Keisler, Amazing Little Hearts board member

Kayla Keisler

President

Meet Kayla
Portrait of Rebecca Mear, Amazing Little Hearts board member

Rebecca Mear

Vice President

Meet Rebecca
Portrait of Savannah Foudy, Amazing Little Hearts board member

Savannah Foudy

Secretary

Meet Savannah
Portrait of Shelley Ratcliff, Amazing Little Hearts board member

Shelley Ratcliff

Treasurer

Meet Shelley
Portrait of Brandi Bowers, Amazing Little Hearts board member

Brandi Bowers

Hospitality Coordinator

Meet Brandi
Portrait of Amanda Burns, Amazing Little Hearts board member

Amanda Burns

Event Coordinator

Meet Amanda

Stories from the heart community.
Amazing Little Hearts is a great community organization that truly understands the complex journeys our heart warriors and their families face. Members of ALH have walked this path before and now they choose to show up with compassion, support and connection during some of the hardest moments for new families starting (and continuing) their journey. They also serve to remind our heart families that they are never alone - and that kind of support is priceless.
Casey Cox, MSN, APRN, CPNP-ACCongenital Heart Surgical Nurse Practitioner
Amazing Little Hearts supported me during the most overwhelming season of my life, when our baby was diagnosed with HLHS shortly after birth. Overnight, we were thrown into a world of unfamiliar medical language, constant decisions, and uncertainty about our child’s future. It was isolating and deeply overwhelming.

A few months into our hospital stay, I met other heart moms through this group, and that connection changed everything. They understood in a way no one else could. They made me feel seen, supported, and less alone. Because they were a few steps ahead in their journeys, they offered practical advice, trusted resources, and the kind of reassurance that only comes from lived experience. Amazing Little Hearts isn’t just a group, it’s a lifeline.
Savannah FoudyHeart Mom
Volunteering with Amazing Little Hearts has been one of the most meaningful experiences in my life. As a heart mom, I know how heavy and overwhelming hospital days can be. Being able to give back, even in a small way, means everything.

Amazing Little Hearts brings comfort, connection, and hope to families who need it most—and I’m so grateful to be part of that. What really stays with me is the impact of the small things like care packages, kind words, simply being there for families who are going through something incredibly overwhelming. You can see firsthand how much it means for them to feel supported and not alone. That kind of connection is powerful.

Being part of Amazing Little Hearts doesn’t just feel like volunteering, it feels like being part of a community that genuinely cares. Every time I’m involved, I’m reminded how important compassion and generosity are, and how even a little effort can bring comfort and hope to someone else. I’m grateful to be part of something that turns kindness into real support for families who need it most.
Robin KingHeart Mom

There is a place for you here.

Whether you are a heart family looking for support, a donor wanting to help, a volunteer ready to serve, or a community partner interested in getting involved, Amazing Little Hearts welcomes you.

Your support helps ALH continue serving Texas families affected by Congenital Heart Disease through hospital support, family events, drives, volunteer-led outreach, and heart family community.

Get Support
Volunteer
Members of the North Texas heart community smiling together at a Medical City Children's Hospital gathering.
Portrait of Kayla Keisler, Amazing Little Hearts board member

Kayla Keisler

President

Kayla is a heart mom to an amazing HLHS warrior, proud wife, mama to two, and a firm believer that no family should navigate a heart journey alone.

Through her family’s own heart journey, she discovered just how important love, support, and community can be during life’s hardest moments.

She’s passionate about walking alongside fellow heart families, offering encouragement, sharing hope, and reminding them they never have to face the journey alone.

Portrait of Rebecca Mear, Amazing Little Hearts board member

Rebecca Mear

Vice President

Rebecca is a heart mom to Charlie, who made an unexpected Valentine’s Day arrival and was born with Tetralogy of Fallot with Pulmonary Atresia.

Charlie’s journey showed her the incredible strength, resilience, and love that exists within the heart community. She hopes every family who finds Amazing Little Hearts feels supported, understood, and reminded that they are stronger than they know.

Portrait of Savannah Foudy, Amazing Little Hearts board member

Savannah Foudy

Secretary

Savannah is a heart mom to an incredible HLHS warrior who loves keeping things organized, building meaningful connections, and making sure the little details don’t get overlooked.

Most days, you’ll find her trying to keep up with her three wild boys—and considering that a success if everyone makes it to bedtime.

Portrait of Shelley Ratcliff, Amazing Little Hearts board member

Shelley Ratcliff

Treasurer

My name is Shelley Ratcliff, and I am a proud wife and mom of two amazing teenagers.

My daughter, MaryKate—now 17—was born with Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR) and underwent open-heart surgery at just 3 months old. Since then, our family has been part of Amazing Little Hearts, where I’ve developed a passion for supporting heart families, raising awareness, and giving back to the community that has given so much to us.

Portrait of Brandi Bowers, Amazing Little Hearts board member

Brandi Bowers

Hospitality Coordinator

Hi, I’m Brandi! I’m a wife, mom to two amazing heart warriors, and currently expecting our third baby. I love Jesus, my family, and serving others.

Our son, Winston, was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), and our daughter, Della, was born with a transitional AV canal defect and now has a pacemaker.

Walking through the CHD journey has given me a heart for encouraging and supporting other families, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve with Amazing Little Hearts.

Portrait of Amanda Burns, Amazing Little Hearts board member

Amanda Burns

Event Coordinator

Hi, I’m Amanda! I’m a proud wife and mom of three amazing boys, and my youngest was born with Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome (HRHS) with PAIVS, a rare congenital heart defect.

Our family’s journey through the CHD community has inspired me to give back. I’m passionate about creating meaningful events that bring heart families together, foster connection, and remind parents and caregivers that they are never alone.

It is truly an honor to help support this incredible community and play a small part in making a difference for families walking a similar path.

Volunteer with ALH

Every volunteer brings something different.

Let us know what kinds of opportunities interest you, when you may be available, and anything else that would be helpful for us to know.

Volunteer opportunities vary throughout the year and may depend on current needs, hospital guidelines, and event schedules. We will be in touch when we have an opportunity that’s a good fit.