Have you heard of the new pocket hug program at Valley Medical? This program is a heartfelt initiative that highlights Renton’s strong sense of community and partnership. By providing small, comforting tokens of support, this program aims to remind caregivers— whether they’re family, friends or healthcare professionals— that they are appreciated.
Valley Medical began the Thank a Caregiver program back in 2020 to honor the dedication and compassion of its staff members. Since then, numerous individuals and teams have been recognized for their exceptional care. In 2021, the program expanded to highlight the ongoing commitment of community members who have given or received outstanding care. The initiative features handcrafted glass floats and hearts for lasting tokens of appreciation. The glass floats are displayed in the Healing Garden on the Valley Medical campus, a tranquil and peaceful space for reflection.
Pocket Hugs are the latest addition to the Valley’s Thank a Caregiver program. These adorable, handmade glass hearts are small enough to fit in your pocket- thoughtful tokens crafter with love to show appreciation. They’re the perfect way to share a little extra gratitude with friends, family, colleagues, caregivers, or anyone who could use a heartfelt reminder that they’re valued. Proceeds from the Thank a Caregiver program go towards projects and educational opportunities that empower Valley’s dedicated staff, helping them continue to provide exceptional care to the community.
These adorable hearts are lovingly crafted by local artist Joni Johnson of Renton Art and Glass Studio. Joni’s passion for glass blowing began as a hobby. She wanted a creative outlet and took a glass blowing class where she instantly took a liking to the craft. She has been selling her art for 10 years, from galleries to markets and even right out of her studio. Joni has always been driven by a desire to help others, making her the perfect partner for Valley Medical’s program. She creates the large hearts using the art of glassblowing and produces the pocket-sized hearts through a unique mold process. The molds are filled with glass chunks, placed in a kiln, and melted to form the delicate hearts. Joni’s creativity shines through with each new design! She’s always creating something new, and her latest design is lavender with sparkles, made to honor the opening of the new Cancer Center.
The Pocket Hug program is a beautiful example of how Renton comes together to support and celebrate its community. For more information or to purchase a pocket hug, please check out the links below.
https://www.valleymed.org/thankacaregiver
https://www.valleymed.org/forms/makeatribute