Justin and Jennifer Driscoll can teach master classes without losing hope.

When their two children, Lilian Hope and Aidan Patrick, were born prematurely in 2007 and 2013, the Coopersburg couple faced extremely difficult times.

Lily weighed less than 3 pounds and was 15 inches tall when she was born 7 weeks before the due date. Aidan, who was 18.5 inches long, entered the world three weeks in advance for a little over 5 pounds.

Both babies are struggling with gastrointestinal and lung problems. Lily needs a chest tube, multiple blood transfusions, a ventilator and a vibrator for up to 7 days.

In those dark days, Driscolls insisted on hope, faith and community-a strong support system of family, friends and medical professionals. They continued to focus on these positive pillars through the non-profit organization they established, which aims to Help others in similar situations.

The Lily Hope Foundation was established in 2013. It is a volunteer-run organization to provide support to families with unexpected and urgent needs due to premature births.

This non-profit organization provides customized "wish packages", each worth about $250, including diapers, clothing for premature babies, infant formula and other needed items.

Jennifer said: "We are really trying to fill the gap where insurance companies have failed to ensure that families have what they need." "We want to relieve their stress so that they can focus on their babies and their health."

Since its establishment, Lily's Hope has been growing steadily every year. The most recent time was to provide services to 713 families in 2020, and it is expected to provide services to 850 families in 2021.

Through cooperation with 17 hospitals and corporate partners, the organization has helped more than 3,250 families in 49 states. Locally, the non-profit organization provides assistance to families with premature babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke's University Health Network and the pediatric department of the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network.

"We put them in those 15 x 15 inch boxes as much as possible-diapers, wipes, detergents, clothes, formula milk, breastfeeding supplies, and even retail cards and fuel cards, especially when they travel to and from severely ill newborns. In the intensive care unit," Jennifer said. "Of course, we will also provide sibling care packages for families with children."

The non-profit organization, which has an office and "Preemie Pantry" on South Cedar Crest Boulevard in Salisbury Township, faced challenges during the pandemic, including limiting the number of volunteers at its headquarters and relying on UPS to transport people who are usually in-house.

Despite this, Driscolls was struck by the unwavering generosity of the community. They attribute The Morning's Be an Angel event to the event, which publishes a "wish list" for Lehigh Valley non-profit organizations around Thanksgiving every year, which is a contributing factor to the organization's success.

Jennifer said: "We are very grateful to The Morning Call for providing us with printing space, and countless people paying their money to help us help others, especially during the pandemic," she pointed out that the agency has received dozens of baby clothes and since 2013 , The driver provides other required items through the driver. Whether they pick up a pack of diapers or some infant formula, for a family in a medical crisis, these small, generous moves mean everything. "

Since it was founded in 1999 by former journalist Irene Kraft, Be an Angel has ushered in its 22nd year and has raised nearly $5 million in donations for regional non-profit organizations.

This year, more than 200 organizations submitted nearly 700 ways to help people and animals in need—from toiletries such as deodorants, soaps and shampoos to DVD players, digital cameras, and technologies such as XBox and PlayStation video game consoles. product.

You can relieve the stress of struggling parents by donating clothes, food and other basic necessities.

You can make your children’s Christmas even better by contributing to school bags, summer camps or music field trips.

If you feel particularly generous, you can even ask for large items such as laptops, refrigerators, washing machines and dryers, riding lawn mowers, and pickup trucks.

There are many different wish lists, but each one will help a team achieve its mission.

See if you can "win angel wings" by fulfilling one or more wishes before January 31st. We ask you to donate directly to these organizations and let them know that this is an angel donation.

Gift cards and money donations are almost always welcome. But you don't have to go deep (or at all) into your wallet to make an impact. Many groups seek affordable items such as batteries, canned food, stamps and umbrellas, as well as less used items such as toys, furniture, sporting goods, and electrical appliances.

Maybe you have a wheel barrel, file cabinet, a pair of pruning shears or an artificial Christmas tree to collect dust in your basement or garage. Maybe your child has grown up and cannot wear a coat, bicycle, car seat or baseball glove.

Whether it’s a board game you haven’t played for a year or a book you haven’t read for ten years, the underutilized items in your home can find new life and help the organization better serve the community.

Of course, you can also contribute your time. For many organizations, these are the most precious gifts. Examples include sewing clothing, helping beautify the environment, cooking or providing food for the homeless, and driving the elderly or disabled to see a doctor.

To help you find your favorite career, we have divided the wish list into several categories-those that provide health care and services to families, youth, seniors, animals, schools, churches, and the arts. The "also in need" category covers a variety of important groups, from libraries and historical societies to museums and organizations, sending packages to overseas military personnel.

Remember: no gift is too small. Do your best to give your blessings, you can greatly improve the quality of life of others and give them hope of a happy new year.

You can track the progress of The Morning Call’s Be An Angel event at mcallcommunity.com/be_an_angel

* Find out which wishes have been fulfilled, which items are still needed, and who have won wings through donations.

* Search by institution name, category-health, family, animal, etc.-and location (so you can find an institution close to home).

*Search by keyword. Maybe you have already purchased a computer and want to donate your old computer. Type "computer" in the keyword box, and you will get a list of computers or any computer-related organizations. If it is a laptop, you can also enter "laptop".

Become an Angel: Click here to help donate to LEHIGH VALLEY non-profit organizations

Morning call feature reporter and retail observation columnist Ryan Kneller can be reached at 610-820-6597 or retailwatch@mcall.com