Hopey’s Heart Foundation

Mission

The Hopey’s Heart Foundation is committed to improving the health of student and amateur athletes through the provision of health education and medical equipment in schools , community and recreational centers. Including the prevention of heart and other injuries in student and amateur athletes with the placement of an automatic external defibrillator (AED). We are dedicated to educating and sharing information on sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). To help continue our efforts to save young lives, please consider making a donation for the placement of an AED in any school or recreational center across the country.

About

The Hopey’s Heart Foundation was formed in memory of Tina Charles’ late aunt Maureen “Hopey” Vaz, who died of multiple organ failure on March 9th, 2013.  Hopey was known for having a very giving heart and when her own heart failed it was a tragic loss to her family and an eye-opener to Charles, who prior to the passing of her aunt, made a $14,775 donation for ten Automated External Defibrillators (AED) to the New York Department of Education and the Wes Leonard Heart Team.

The Wes Leonard Heart Team is dedicated to purchasing and distributing AEDs to schools in and around the State of Michigan.. Wes Leonard was a basketball player at Fennville High who died of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) at the end of his basketball game in March 2011. Having an AED on-site would have saved Leonard’s life. After being moved by the sad and sudden loss of Wes Leonard and her aunt’s untimely death, Charles refocused her efforts to help reduce the chances of student athletes falling victim to Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Mirroring her aunt Maureen’s giving-heart, the Hopey’s Heart Foundation was founded in April 2013. Read more on the website.

“Maureen was a true servant at heart and also shared her passion for God’s kingdom at the Prayerline Church of God…Maureen “Hopey” Vaz will be remembered fondly for her infectious smile and jovial personality.”