History of Lasting Imprint

In April of 2010, the Minnesota Chapter of It’s My Heart, a national organization based out of Texas, was formed by Angela Heidelberger, Samantha Paris and Sarah Ruley. Through the hard work and determination of these women, the Minnesota CHD community began to be united.

The Minnesota Chapter of It’s My Heart held their first fundraising effort in Alexandria, Minnesota on September 11, 2010. CHD families throughout the state joined together to walk in

Alexandria’s first CHD awareness walk appropriately named “Hazel’s Lasting Imprint” after Angela’s daughter, Hazel, who lost her battle with congenital heart defects in January 2010 after only 13 short days of life.

After receiving news in January of 2011 from national headquarters that the organization would no longer be using our donations to fund research, the Board of the Minnesota Chapter of It’s My Heart voted unanimously to separate from the national organization. The Board, which consisted of Angela Heidelberger, Samantha Paris, Steph Stoffel and Jolene Tesch, felt it acted in the best interest of the Minnesota CHD community who voiced their passion in donating to research. On February 28, 2011, the Minnesota chapter of It’s My Heart separated from the national organization.

On March 2, 2011, Lasting Imprint was reorganized as a non-profit corporation in the State of

Minnesota and on June 14, 2011, 501(c)(3) status was received from the IRS. The first fundraising event as Lasting Imprint, “Our Community has Heart!” was held in Mankato, Minnesota, on May 21, 2011, followed by Alexandria’s second CHD Awareness Walk on September 2011.

At the time of origination the Lasting Imprint Board and Committed Volunteers consisted of:

Steph Stoffel – Executive Board Chair

Jolene Tesch – Executive Board Secretary

Samantha Paris – Executive Board Treasurer

Angela Heidelberger – Executive Director

Kristen Thomas – Event Coordinator

Dana Shelso – Twin Cities Hospital Outreach Coordinator

Amber Iseminger – Rochester Hospital Outreach Coordinator

Rachel Greeley – Newsletter Editor/Web Administrator

Lindsey Buttweiler -- Alexandria Regional Coordinator

Carrie Meyer – Grant Writer

The foundation of Lasting Imprint is, and always will be, the children and adults who have fought and continue to fight CHD. Their stories are the drive behind the passion and dedication of all Lasting Imprint Board members, committed volunteers, and supporters. Their hearts have left a lasting imprint on us and we seek to share that with others.