A local non-profit that supports families who have children with heart complications will be hosting an event this September to give back to the community. Kaia’s KindHearts was founded when Hoboken resident Leigh Cole and her husband started a fundraiser to help support other children with similar heart diagnoses as their daughter Kaia, who has dextrocardia — and as of earlier this year, it’s officially a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. In honor of World Heart Day on September 29th, Kaia’s KindHearts Foundation will be hosting a packing party at Schmitty’s in Hoboken, where attendees can put together care packages to donate to local hospitals’ cardiac ICUs — or you can donate items for the care packages beforehand. Read on for more about this upcoming Hoboken event, as well as more about Kaia’s KindHearts Foundation and its Mile Square roots.
^ The Cole family. Photo Credit: Leigh Cole
Event Details
In an effort to continue supporting children who suffer from heart complications, Kaia’s KindHearts Foundation will be hosting a packing party on Sunday, September 29th, 2024 from 11AM-1PM at Schmitty’s — located at 359 1st Street in Hoboken. The purpose of the event is to put together care packages for heart kids and their families to donate to local hospitals’ cardiac ICUs, and it will be held on World Heart Day.
Read More: A List of Hoboken + Jersey City Non-Profits to Donate to Year-Round
Kaia’s KindHearts Foundation is currently collecting the following items for donation:
- Squishmallows/small stuffies
- Pop-its
- Bubbles or party blowers
- Playing cards/Uno/Go Fish
- Puzzles
- Small Lego sets
- Play-doh
- Coloring books with crayons
- Affirmation bracelets (Taylor Swift-style) that say “Brave”, “You Got This”, or “Keep Going”
- Gift cards for food delivery (UberEats, GrubHub, etc. )
- Fuzzy socks with traction (for kids + adults)
- Eye masks for adults
- Ear plugs for adults
- Portable sound machines
- Hair detangler
- Lip balm
- Travel toothbrushes + toothpaste
- Travel deodorant
- Body wipes (Megababe Shower Sheets or water wipes)
- Notebooks with pens
- Canvas bags
If you are interested in contributing to the care packages, please see Kaia’s KindHearts’ donation page, Amazon Wish List, or contact Leigh Cole at [email protected]. To learn more about the event, click here.
About Kaia’s KindHearts
^ Kaia. Photo Credit: Leigh Cole
When Hoboken resident Leigh Cole was pregnant, her yet-to-be-born daughter, Kaia, was diagnosed with dextrocardia — meaning, Kaia’s heart was on the right side of her chest — among other heart complications. Inspired by their daughter’s bravery, Leigh and her husband started a fundraiser called Kaia’s KindHearts in 2023 to help support other children with similar diagnoses — which is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit as of early 2024. You can read all about Kaia’s KindHearts Foundation and its mission to give back to children with heart complications in our article here.
See More: Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities in Essex County
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Where to Get Heart-Shaped Pizza in Hoboken + Jersey City
With Valentine's Day just a few days away, love is in the air and many locals are planning how to spend the day. From making a reservation at a local restaurant or planning a unique date night, there are many different ways to celebrate. While heart-shaped sweet treats abound this time of year, we want to shout out one of our favorite savory treats that suits any occasion: pizza. For Valentine's Day, many restaurants in Hoboken + Jersey City have heart-shaped pizzas that are Instagram-worthy and make a fun food-related way to celebrate Valentine's Day. Read on for spots to get heart-shaped pizza in Hoboken + Jersey City, New Jersey.
Hoboken
Benny Tudino's | 622 Washington Street
Photo Credit: Benny Tudino's
Known as the "Home of the Largest Slice," Benny Tudino's is bringing its take on a heart-shaped pizza this Valentine's Day. Customers can choose any toppings of their choosing like mushrooms, onions, sausage, pepperoni, black olives, garlic, spinach, buffalo chicken, or tomato.
Read More: Where to Get Pizza Dough in Hoboken + Jersey City
Blue Eyes Restaurant | 525 Sinatra Drive
Photo Credit: Blue Eyes Hoboken
Located on Hoboken's waterfront, this restaurant is going all out for Valentine's Day. In addition to its pre-fixe holiday menu, Blue Eyes will turn its classic pizzas into heart-shaped ones. Patrons can enjoy the pizza either by dining in or ordering for takeout.
The Brick | 1122 Washington Street
Photo Credit: The Brick
This Hoboken restaurant will serve heart-shaped pizza for the upcoming holiday. Gluten-free and vegan options are available upon request. In previous years, this spot served two pies, one being a savory option in a personal and medium size, and the other being the "Sweetheart Pie," made with Nutella, fresh strawberries, and bananas. The Brick has not yet announced if the dessert pie will be available this year, but encourages its customers to keep an eye on its Instagram, as it will post all the details in the coming days.
Imposto's Pizza | 102 Washington Street
Photo Credit: Imposto's Pizza
Imposto’s in Hoboken will have special, limited-edition pizzas this Valentine’s Day. There will be choices such as Pizza My Heart ($22), Vodka Valentine ($27), Heart-A-Rita ($27), and Buffalove Chicken ($30) — that, of course, come in a heart shape.
Leo's Grandevous | 200 Grand Street
Photo Credit: Leo's Grandevous
Leo's Grandevous has been serving its Hoboken neighbors since 1939. And of course, Valentine's Day is no exception. Its original heart-shaped pizza will be served — for dine-in service only.
The Madison Bar + Grill | 1316 Washington Street
Photo Credit: Madison Bar + Grill
This local spot has been a long-standing Hoboken staple since the ’90s. With its specialty cocktails and burgers, patrons shouldn't skip over its pizza. This Valentine's Day, its heart-shaped pizza will be made with Italian flour, fresh tomatoes, and mozzarella. This unique pie will be available on February 13th, February 14th, and February 15th.
Quality Pizza Co. | 304 Washington Street
Photo Credit: Quality Pizza Co.
Quality Pizza's menu is packed with choices of round pies, square pies, personal pies, and a gluten-free crust. Featured toppings include pepperoni, mushroom, buffalo chicken, and plain, as well as a sausage jalapeno, vodka, and vegetable, among other options. These flavors can be enjoyed in Quality Pizza Co.'s version of a heart-shaped pizza.
San Giuseppe | 1320 Adams Street
Photo Credit: San Giuseppe
San Giuseppe is known for its coal-fired pizzas, homemade pasta, entrees like meatball sliders to rice balls, and desserts like cannoli and rainbow cake. The Italian restaurant will have a heart-shaped pizza for customers on Valentine's Day. This cheesy dish will be available as a dine-in and take-out option.
Jersey City
Pompei Pizza | 722 West Side Avenue
Photo Credit: Pompei Pizza
This Valentine’s Day, Pompeii Pizza in Jersey City will serve up a plain heart pizza for its local customers. The pizzeria is taking orders for this special pie now.
Rizzo Bakery | 208 Central Avenue
Photo Credit: Rizzos Bakery
This family-run business has been around since 1983 and serves fresh baked goods like bread, cookies, and pizza. For Valentine's Day, any large pie can be made into a heart-shaped pizza.
See More: The Best Pizzerias in Montclair
Rustique Pizza | 611 Jersey Avenue
Photo Credit: Rustique Pizza
Rustique Pizza will have three different choices of heart-shaped pizzas this Valentine's Day. There will be a cheese and pepperoni option. Both flavors can also be combined into a half-and-half option.
