Vision and Concept

At the St. Louis Congenital Heart Walk, hosted by The Children’s Heart Foundation, families, friends, and supporters gathered to honor children affected by congenital heart defects (CHDs) and stand alongside one another in community.

The walk welcomed people of all ages and created intentional space for both connection and remembrance. While fundraising and awareness were central, the day also creates space to honor heart angels, celebrate their lives, and recognize how grief and hope can coexist. As part of that experience, the event shared seed paper memorial hearts, giving families something meaningful to take home.

Why Seed Paper Memorials?

The seed paper memorials served a clear purpose: to give families something tangible to carry home, a keepsake rooted in meaning, not just memory. Shared in the Peace & Memorial Tent, the pink seed paper hearts were thoughtfully chosen to honor heart angels who have passed away and to offer families a gentle way to remember them.

Seed paper felt especially fitting because it transforms. Instead of the remembrance ending on the walk day, it invites a people to partake in a ritual, to plant the heart in memory of a loved one, nurture it over time, and watch flowers grow in their place. That process turned remembrance into a living tribute, one that continues to grow long after the event.

As shared by the Foundation:

“These beautiful tokens were shared in our Peace & Memorial Tent in honor of our heart angels — a heartfelt way to celebrate their lasting impact and the hope that continues to grow in their memory.” – Molly Devine, Development Manager with The Children’s Heart Foundation

Values Reflected Through Action

The seed paper memorial initiative embodied the values at the heart of the walk:

• Remembrance and healing: Offering a physical way to honor heart angels created space for reflection and emotional connection.
• Hope and growth: Watching flowers bloom served as a symbol of life, resilience, and a continued reminder of a heart angel.
• Family-centered support: The experience was accessible and meaningful for attendees of all ages.
• Sustainability with purpose: A plantable, biodegradable keepsake aligned with a message of care for both people and the planet.

Results and Impact

Families responded with gratitude and emotion. Many lingered in the Peace & Memorial Tent, sharing stories and reflecting. Attendees talked about the seed paper memorials and appreciated having something to take home in memory of their heart angel. More than 100 seed paper hearts reached children and adults alike, each connecting with someone touched by CHDs

Through a simple, thoughtful gesture, the St. Louis Congenital Heart Walk transformed remembrance into something living, a growing reminder that love and hope continue beyond the walk itself.