Melissa Yeager, Open Hearts Award Honoree
Melissa Yeager and Jane Seymour
Our connection with The Open Hearts Foundation has grown significantly over the years. In 2020, amidst the challenges of Covid, they provided a grant that, with your generous donations, we were able to triple. This support led to the creation of our Covid Emergency Relief Grant Program, distributing over $70,000 to assist our clients during the global pandemic. Over the last 3 years, they provided two more grants, aiding our Extended Hospital Stay Grant Program and The Work Proudly Program. Their support means the world to us and to the cystic fibrosis community that we help.
Open Hearts Foundation is an inspiration to me, funding small nonprofits like ours often overlooked by larger grant makers. Despite our small size, our impactful programs have the power to change lives and we are so grateful for their trust and support over the years.
Jane Seymour, Co-Founder, Board member, artist and award-winning actress says “It is my hope that the Open Hearts Philosophy will become a movement through the Foundation’s work and legacy. Whether big or small, a generous donation or volunteering, we all have a role to play in lifting others up, inspiring those around us, and doing what we can to help others. Everyone is welcome to join the Open Hearts Movement.”
Please join us at the Open Hearts Foundation Gala on February 17, 2024, at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, CA. I am honored to receive The Open Hearts Award this year and your presence at this celebration would mean the world to me. Without you, none of this would be possible.
Melissa Yeager, Executive Director
"When Claire passed in 2018, Melissa could have ended the charity’s support and closed her heart, but she didn’t. Melissa knew Claire wanted the charity to live on because it gave her life so much meaning. Instead, Melissa opened her heart and still carries on her daughter’s legacy by leading the charity’s work. For these reasons and more, Melissa will be honored with the Open Hearts Award. Inspired by Jane Seymour's mother’s philosophy to turn adversity into an opportunity to help others, this award honors individuals who have risen above their own life challenges to truly help and reach out to others in need. During the evening, Melissa will share her moving story and how Claire’s Place Foundation has been able to impact the lives of so many children and families in the cystic fibrosis community." Open Hearts Foundation Press Release