This Wichita baby needs open heart surgery. Here’s how to help him and others

Imagine every member of your family having major medical issues. That’s what it’s like for the Campbell family of Wichita.

The medical bills began in 2014 when Ben Campbell was hospitalized with diverticulitis.

Then, Tami Campbell had a miscarriage along with gallbladder surgery.

The couple paid bills as best as they could. Tami became pregnant again.

On Oct. 8, Jonathan was born with a heart murmur from three holes in his heart.

“He will have to have two open heart surgeries after the holidays,” Tami Campbell said. “Money is kind of tight. It has just been a very emotional time.”

The medical bills keep adding up. Share the Season is helping.

“I am very grateful for Share the Season. They were able to pay off a couple of the medical bills,” Tami said.

Share the Season is a local nonprofit effort coordinated by the Wichita Community Foundation, the Salvation Army and The Wichita Eagle. It offers one-time assistance to people who need help because of hardships such as a job loss or illness.

It matches donor money – $5, $10, $25 or more – with people’s needs. The money goes to people who do not qualify for other types of aid.

Last year, more than 117 families were helped by the $243,650 donated by Wichitans. Since it began, the program has helped 3,300 families with $3.1 million.

Each day through Christmas, The Eagle will feature a story of someone in need. Those who are featured will usually remain anonymous, but their need will be verified by the Salvation Army. The Wichita Community Foundation handles donations and issues receipts to those who donate.

As in past years, those who apply have often undergone stressful life-changing events such as medical issues for either themselves or family, being laid off, housing and transportation problems while simply living from paycheck to paycheck.

The average Share the Season recipient gets help paying utility or medical bills. Payments are made directly to creditors. In recent years, contributions have continued to pour in after the holiday season, and some have been used to help people with unexpected needs at other times of the year.

“This is a program that we are thrilled to partner with The Eagle and Salvation Army,” said Shelly Prichard, executive director of the Wichita Community Foundation. “Since the beginning of the program 18 years ago, the community has raised more than $3.1 million. It is a real honor to work in a community that has that kind of generosity to help people in need.”

Prichard said the help is often life-changing.

“Share the Season gives help and help straighten the path for people,” she said. “We know this throught the amazing notes and contributions we have received from people in past years. It is fullfilling to know that these small gifts are helping people.”

Share the Season has raised $31,510.92 to kick off the season of donations.

Among recent donors: K. C. "Buck" and Gladys Alley; Stanley and Gretchen Andeel; David and Kathy Baker, in honor of Russell and Bettie Baker; Roger and M. L. Ball; anonymous, in memory of Virginia Barb; Barbara J. Keating Memorial Fund at the Wichita Community Foundation; George and Debbie Barnes, in memory of Cheryl Barnes Ward; William and Marlene Bayer, in memory of Richard and Tommy Bayer; Randy and Carrie Benjamin; Marylyn Blanding, in memory of Max A. Blanding; Eleanor Bolain; Ira and Betty Hill Bonebright; anonymous, in honor of Richard Borchard; Anthony and Deanna Botterweck; Gregory and Patricia Brown; Jay and Annetta Brown; Philip and Emmy Bump; Jane Byrnes; anonymous, in memory of Robert Byrne;

Arlene Chadd; Darrell Chew, in memory of Virginia Chew and Julie Chew; Clark and Sharon Bastian Donor Advised Fund at the Wichita Community Foundation; Norma Clem; anonymous, in memory of Stewart Coffin; Ronald and DeLonna Coleman; Patricia Couger, in memory of Richard Minkler; Elizabeth Cummings; Jettie P. Dennis Jr. and Sarah N. Dennis Chritable Memorial Fund, in honor of the Jackson Mortuary; Jettie P. Dennis Jr. and Sarah N. Dennis Charitable Memorial Fund, in honor of the Family of Dr. Val Jackson Sr. and Mrs. Josephine Brown; Bruce and Julie Deterding; Darrel and Eunice Doerksen; anonymous, in memory of Bill Van Dolah; Frederick and Wanda Eilts; Phillip Escareno; Joseph and Sandra Francel; Paul and Bernadette Frank; and Timothy and Deborah Fred.

This story was originally published November 22, 2017 at 3:10 PM with the headline "This Wichita baby needs open heart surgery. Here’s how to help him and others."