More than $4,000 netted at fundraiser for family of SIDS victim

Sandra and Larry Pitts expressed gratitude to everyone who attended a fundraiser at the Crosby American Legion Hall Post 658 in Crosby, held in honor of their son, Seth, who died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in August.

“Our little boy has touched so many hearts in ways that my husband and I could never have imagined,” Sandra said. “We had hoped people would come to help honor his legacy but you just never know how many people will come. We were so touched to see so many people there. It is a blessing to see something so tragic turn into something so positive.”

They took their son to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston and discovered that while he was in the hospital room, his younger relatives did not have much to keep them occupied outside of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit waiting room. This inspired them to come back to the hospital and see about placing a mural outside of the waiting room along with wall mounting toys.

To help fund the toys, the Pitts decided to hold a fundraiser at the American Legion Hall. They had their own cooking team – the Jacked Up Cookers – who provided briskets, sausage, chicken, and hamburgers to the fundraiser participants. Many area businesses donated prizes to a raffle held at the fundraiser. These included discounted tickets to restaurants, cooking baskets, leather jackets, and many other items. People could purchase a raffle ticket and place it in a bag next to the item. Students from Sam Houston University helped put some of the gift baskets together. A moonwalk and face painting were available for younger participants.

Over $4,000 was raised at the weekend’s event.

The mural is being done by Carla Stedillie of Murals by Carla. She is doing the mural free of charge. Due to the overwhelming amount of support other parts of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit are being considered for upgrades now as well as the addition of the wall mounting toys.

Sandra also said they plan to install reflection mirrors outside of thehospital’s waiting room sort of like the kind you find in a carnival funhouse.

“Children’s attention span is not as long as adults,” Sandra said. “Handling the stress of a child when you have a child in the hospital is tough. Right now, the room is just a typical waiting room. This will make it a friendlier environment for everyone. Also, they have equipment that needs to be replaced. It is unlimited what we can do.”

Becky Sciacca, Seth’s grandmother, said they felt truly blessed by the turnout.

“We have been given everything we could ask for,” Sciacca said. “We always thought (Seth) was special. Most people did not know him. They just see the pictures. He has touched a lot of people. We were truly blessed to know him.”

Helen Cook, Sandra’s sister, said she is amazed by the outpouring of concern about Seth.

“People came together for a great event,” Cook said. “The support is overwhelming. A part of Seth will affect every child who goes into (Texas Children’s Hospital). I am amazed how giving Sandra is. She is mourning over her own child and is concerned about what other children will do in the waiting room.”

Robert Van Natta, owner of Van Natta’s Silky Screening in Baytown, donated T-shirts to the raffle at the event. He expressed gratitude at the strength and resolve of both Larry and Sandra Pitts.

“They were dealt a tough hand,” he said. “They had to do what they could. It tells you the character of these folks have especially in a time of crisis. It is a great event and I wanted to be a part of it.”

In a letter of support from Jennifer Smart, Texas Children Hospital’s Manager of the office of development, she said the Pitts family has joined in the hospital’s mission to improve the health and quality of life for children in our community and far beyond.

“Every child whose life is saved or whose illness is treated is a miracle, and your involvement and generosity is what makes such miracles possible,” Smart wrote.

The Children’s Miracle Network has also been supportive of their efforts, Sandra said. She is also looking into ways to provide front door key access versus walking around the hospital for those who stay at the Ronald McDonald House. Apparently, if someone leaves after hours, they cannot get back into the house without having to walk on the other side of the hospital, which can be very stressful to those who have loved ones staying there.

Anyone who wishes to help donate to the mounting wall toys or for any other items for the Texas Children’s Hospital ICU waiting room can call 281-636-0618.