By: Photo by Sam Nichols http://cmostr.com

 

 

 

 

 

Many people can say they have a passion, something they love, but I am not sure how many people can say they have a passion because of someone they love.

Michelle Delfs founded Tutus For Tots after her son was diagnosed with a heart condition.  Though she later came to find that his condition was the best of all heart conditions to have, the journey to this reality was heart wrenching at best.   Tutus For Tots was founded in her heart then and has since become the ever present and ever loving gift that she hopes will help ease the burden of fear and pain that many of the children at Goryeb Children’s Hospital experience daily.  You can help too…for every Tutus For Tots purchase, Michelle will donate one tutu or cape to the children of Goryeb. Her creations help the children there to create their own escape through imaginative play…by wearing a whimsical tutu every little girl instantly transforms into graceful ballerina or a fairy tale princess and every little boy who ties a cape to his back becomes the hero of his own life.     Tutus For Tots’ original line included tutus, capes and accessories.  Fostering the imagination of children has lead the company above and beyond where they ever thought they would be.  They have since extended their product line to include couture, crafts, many more accessories and costumes, party packages and  much more.

 

 

 

 

 

Jersey Mom Helps to Bring Joy to Sick Kids and Their Families

David Matthau Reporting

Listen to David Matthau's report:

A Jersey mom, whose young son had successful heart surgery a couple of years ago, is now working round the clock - to help bring a smile to the faces of other seriously ill children who have an uncertain future.

Hunterdon County Resident Michelle Delfs says after her son Landon recovered at Goryeb Children's Hospital in Morris County "I began to think about all the kids and their families that were still there, and I just felt overwhelmed with the sense that I need to do something for them….I wanted to do something that could bring smiles and laughter to the children there, and to the families, so I started making tutus and super hero capes."

Soon afterwards, Delfs created Tutusfortots.com - a website where people can donate money - so that she can buy materials for the gifts she makes for the children by hand.

"Not only do the kids love it" she says, "but the families seem to really enjoy that brief moment that they can just sort of take themselves out of that stressful situation, and enjoy some time there."

Delfs adds "people can go to that website and purchase anything from tutus, to capes to tee shirts to party goods…it helps other people…doing good for others warms your heart, and I think we can all- especially people with children - I think that our children need to see us giving back…and I want to teach my own children the same morals and values that I was raised with, and I see that happening here…it brings me happiness, it's very fulfilling to give back to others."

She is also thinking about expanding the operation so it can also become Tutus for Troops - where outfits can be given to the children of men and women serving in the military.

Millennium Radio NJ - Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 

 

Alexandria Township woman makes tutus, superhero capes to cheer ailing totsPublished: Saturday, October 23, 2010, 9:14 AM Teresa Fasanello/Hunterdon Democrat

 

Michelle Delfs felt like she “dodged a bullet” three years ago when she found out her son’s heart condition was not life-threatening.When she and husband Joe, residents here for six years, took their now 5-year-old son Landon to Goryeb Children’s Hospital at Morristown Memorial Hospital, they learned he has a bicuspid aortic valve, a condition in which the valve that regulates blood flow from the heart into the body’s major blood vessel has two cusps instead of three.12Share 

 

“He’ll need a valve replacement, but hopefully, it’s when he’s 60,” she said. “Turns out my son’s heart condition is the best of all heart conditions to have — but what if it wasn’t?”“We saw all the other families were getting bad news… It broke my heart,” Delfs said. “On the drive home, I just thought: ‘We have to do something.

”She was frightened again when 3-year-old daughter Makenzie was diagnosed with a heart murmur, which she has since outgrown.

Last year, she started “Tutus for Tots” after making tutus from tulle fabric for Makenzie’s birthday party and a cape for Landon.“Seeing the delight these whimsical items brought my own children inspired me to do the same for others,” she said.

She makes and sells tutus, superhero capes, T-shirts and party décor.

 For each item sold, she uses the profits to make another for a child at Goryeb
“They’re really such a terrific hospital,” she said. “They really make the children feel so comfortable.”She brought 30 tutus and 30 capes to Goryeb at first, and has tried to make at least one item each day since.

“Something simple and fun like a tutu or cape that fuels the imagination and brings smiles and giggles is just what the doctor ordered for these children and their families,” she said.

The project is “lots of sewing,” she said, laughing. “I always have tulle stuck to me.”

Add home schooling her kids, and she keeps herself “too busy — I don’t sleep.”

Even so, she makes so many gifts that the hospital can’t give them out fast enough. This Christmas, she plans to give her homemade outfits to children of four families struggling financially.

She’s considering donating to other children’s hospitals as well, and she has a new project in mind: “Tutus for Troops.” Inspired by stepdad Larry Wilske, a Navy Seal, she wants to give her handmade creations to the children of wounded soldiers.

 

 

 

 

Our final drop off of the year was a success. 

 A few pictures from a wonderful day:)