Some of you may recognize my friend Jaime in the photo above, and her sweet daughter, Aibhie, whom I named my Aibhie’s Hat pattern after. This photo was taken nearly two years ago, not long before Jaime gave birth to her fourth child, a little darling named Ondine.
My little girls were over the moon excited when Ondine was born a few weeks later. These photos were taken nearly two years ago, and Ondine, or “Oni” for short is an adorable toddler now, with a birthday coming up. She’s also been gravely ill this summer.
Back in early June, I got a text from Jaime asking for prayers. She was sitting in the E.R. with Ondine who had what seemed to be an especially awful stomach virus. It didn’t take long for the doctor’s at our local hospital to deem it necessary to transport her to VCU Medical Center in Richmond. She was dangerously, critically ill. My little girls started praying for Ondine day and night. We all did. It turned out that Ondine was suffering from Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, a rare and life-threatening complication of e. coli infection. Ondine’s case was particularly severe. She spent most of the month of June in the hospital. Jaime and and her husband Ryan took 24 hour shifts with her, one of them always at the hospital and the other at home with their other three young children. By the Grace of God, Ondine is home now, though with a feeding tube and requiring dialysis three days a week back at the hospital that is an hour away from home. She is healing slowly but surely and there is hope that Oni will be able to go off of dialysis in the coming weeks. But right now, still in the thick of things, Jaime and Ryan are exhausted. I can only imagine the toll this has taken on them both physically, emotionally, and financially. (You can follow Ondine’s progress via Jaime’s instagram.)
A friend suggested teaming up with Pink Salt Riot for a fundraiser for Jaime and Ryan, and I thought that would be a great idea. Jill at Pink Salt Riot creates beautiful, affordable jewelry and other lovely little gifts. I wear one of her simple personalized cord bracelets with the word, “Hope,” on it.
From Jill:
“Pink Salt Riot makes products that help you remember to practice joy. In this crazy world, in your crazy life, in the midst of your undeniably crazy family, we need those little things – those little reminders – that point our eyes back to Christ and back to His cross. Our products are all handmade in our studio in Oklahoma with attention to beautiful and modern aesthetics, meaningful sentiments, and quality workmanship.”
Pink Salt Riot will donate a percentage 25% of the total purchases made through this fundraiser to my friends, Jaime and Ryan:
Orders totaling less than $100 – 5%
Orders totaling $101-$250 – 10%
Orders totaling $251 – $500 – 15%
Orders totaling $501 – $1000 – 20%
Orders over $1001 – 25% (edited to add: Thanks so much for all your orders! We have exceeded $1000 in sales which means that 25% will be donated to Jaime and Ryan!)
In order for your purchase to be credited to this fundraiser please include a note to seller at checkout that says “For Ondine.” (You’ll see the box to do so when you are checking out.) The fundraiser will run through Friday, July 14th.This is a great time to purchase gifts for those you love, or even a little something for yourself! I’m thinking ahead to stocking stuffers for my girls!
And there’s also a giveaway!!!
If you place an order with Pink Salt Riot between now and Friday, July 14th (don’t forget to leave the note to seller at checkout “for Ondine”) you are eligible to win: One jar of my own raw honey harvested last month from our beehives, two bars of my Greta Goat’s Milk Soap, a set of my Wildflower stickers, and from Pink Salt Riot, a gray cord bracelet with a “Hope” pendant (just like mine) and a lovely brass bookmark with the JPII quote, “Be not afraid.”
To be entered for the giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post letting me know you made a purchase at Pink Salt Riot. (If you win, I’ll just ask that you verify your purchase.) I’ll randomly select a winner within a few days after the fundraiser ends. The winner will be notified via email and announced within this post.
Thank you in advance for your kind support! I appreciate it so much, and so do Jaime and Ryan!
The winner of the giveaway is Roxy. Thank you all for your generosity!
Gina says
Thank you, so very much, for setting this up for Ondine and her family. And thank you for introducing us to the lovely shop, Pink Salt Riot! I am excited to have a few Christmas gifts purchased already! Many blessings to you and your family!
Karen says
I purchased an an awesome bracelet for my friend’s birthday! I will be praying for Ondine.
Valerie says
I made a purchase.
Shannon says
I made a purchase from pink salt riot. Our family will be praying for Ondine.
Blessings
Carly says
I purchased a bracelet for Christmas gift. Prays for Ondine and her family, and thank you for introducing us to this creative Catholic Shop!
Laura says
I placed an order today – like you I was thinking of birthdays and stocking stuffers. Praying for this family!
Cheryl says
Ginny, Thank you for bringing this family’s struggle to our attention. I am blessed enough to have more than enough to meet my needs so I sent a donation directly through paypal. Will keep them in my prayers.