Gina Lomheim started Henry’s Heroes in March 2023 after experiencing a long, extended Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) hospitalization. “Through our own experience, it made me realize that many families feel isolated, overwhelmed, and unsupported during that journey. I founded this organization so that no family in the region would have to walk that path alone,” Gina explained.
“There were not a lot of resources available during our NICU stay, and we were so grateful for the care we received. This idea of giving back started when we were in the NICU, and I remember one of the nurses telling me that I could dream big, but our first goal was to get Henry home first. Once Henry was discharged home and I started to heal physically and emotionally, I asked my four friends if they wanted to start this non-profit organization with me. Our first meeting took place around a kitchen table, and we began discussing our vision, purpose, and what we wanted our non-profit to do for the community. The nonprofit name was easy: Henry’s Heroes. We named it after our little NICU miracle, Henry, and the heroes that saved him, loved him like their own, and continue to be his biggest fans. Those heroes are the St. Cloud Hospital NICU staff.”
While several wonderful organizations support NICU families, Henry’s Heroes offers distinct features that reflect its unique mission and the specific gap it identified. “Unlike many organizations that are regionally broader or nationally focused, Henry’s Heroes was born out of a deeply personal NICU journey in our own region. Because of that, we understand local needs and have a strong connection to the NICU nurses who work with these families. We also acknowledge HIPAA and privacy, and our non-profit relies on family and friends to nominate families in need.”
“Our organization exists to show up for families in one of life’s most vulnerable, intense seasons. When a baby is in the NICU, the emotional, physical, and financial stresses often ripple out in ways many don’t see, and the long hospital days, divided attention with other children, the uncertainty, the “what‑comes‑next.” We want the community to know that we’re not simply giving a gift; we’re saying, “We see you. We’re with you.” That presence matters. To date, we have raised nearly $100,000 and donated to more than 50 NICU families. Last Christmas Eve, we delivered over 100 meals to the St. Cloud Hospital NICU for the families and staff. It was a small gesture to allow them one last thing to worry about during the holiday season.”
“Henry’s Heroes wouldn’t be the same without the support of our husbands and children; between the five board members, we have 17 children. Our husbands do a lot of heavy lifting during the walk, preparing, and our kids are our biggest fans. They love being part of this community and wear their Henry’s Heroes Crew t-shirts proudly. We know they will be the next generation to help Henry share his story and be the hero to many families in need.”
“We are building our initiative in Central Minnesota and collaborating with our local hospital on any specific needs they are seeing with their NICU patients and families. Central Minnesota presents distinct challenges, including journeys to the hospital, time away from home, work, and family, as well as sibling care logistics and rural access. We see this, and we acknowledge every family and the story they offer to tell,” Gina continued. “I was born and raised in Cold Spring, Minnesota, and married my husband and moved to the Albany, Minnesota area. We live on a small four-acre homestead in Farming, Minnesota, with our three children: Harrison, Madelyn, and Henry. There is something special about Central Minnesota, and the strong roots and local community support that this area offers are a testament to its unique character.”
Like many nonprofit organizations, collaboration is an essential part of the work they do. “We were honored to partner with local songwriter and musician Chase Grant, whose family was one of this year’s Henry’s Heroes recipient families. His son Hudson was born with a serious heart condition and underwent numerous procedures. He never left the hospital, but through it all, he felt the love and support of his family, friends, and community. Hudson has since passed away to be with Jesus, and Chase now shares Hudson’s story every time he performs. Recently, our board members and their spouses attended one of Chase’s live shows. From that moment, we knew something special was happening: the power of his music and the mission of Henry’s Heroes were aligned. Shortly afterward, Chase approached us with a generous idea: he offered to promote Henry’s Heroes at his shows, include our logo on his stage banner, and donate proceeds from his clothing line. With a heart of gold, he has also just released his new album, Twenty-Nine, and the opening song is a beautiful poem that tells Hudson’s life story.”
“We also utilize local businesses for printing (The Cold Spring Record) and Promotional Resources for our event t-shirt printing. We appreciate the local donations and are always looking for ways to support the community in any way possible,” said Gina.
“When our family was in the NICU, there were many local nonprofits that prayed for Henry and also donated to our family. When we were discharged home, we were so grateful to have this support, but we knew many families did not have what we did. The Central MN community plays a large role in many of the local nonprofits. When we are looking for sponsors and donations for our Annual Walk, we receive a great deal of support. We have never formally gone door-to-door asking for donations, and we recognize that this is a crucial element in securing the support of our surrounding communities. Businesses love to hear the reason behind the nonprofit; they want to know where their donation is going, and they also want to be part of this event. As we begin planning our 4th Annual Henry’s Heroes on June 6th, 2026, in St. Martin, we have a goal to get our boots on the ground and tell the world about Henry’s Heroes and what we provide for the community.”
As you can imagine, working to support families experiencing a NICU stay can be challenging, but it is incredibly rewarding. “One of the hardest parts of Henry’s Heroes has been bearing witness to the complexity beyond the hospital walls. Walking into the NICU at St. Cloud Hospital, I see courageous families navigating unimaginable stress: medical uncertainty, long days in the NICU, concern for what comes next. For many, even when their baby comes home, new challenges emerge, from developmental support to follow-up care, to emotional trauma, economic stress, and building a new normal. I remember visiting a family whose infant had been in the NICU for an extended time, and although our support helped in the moment, the family’s post-hospital journey was far more complicated than we anticipated. They needed ongoing resources, which we didn’t entirely have the capacity to provide. It reminded me that our role is vital, but also that the journey doesn’t end when the baby leaves the NICU; for many families, it’s a long and arduous road. One day, our goal for Henry’s Heroes is to provide support to every family who needs us, create a space for these families, and ultimately give all of our NICU miracles a place to share their stories.”
In memory of Troy Athmann, Gina’s cousin, who passed away in the NICU in 1991, Henry’s Heroes also established the Troy Athmann NICU Angel memorial fund for NICU babies. “We visit families, deliver a granite memorial, and in those moments, we spend time listening, grieving, and remembering their angel who now rests with Jesus. Ashton. Eloise. Hudson. We will always honor you, say your name, and tell your story. Though your time on earth was brief, your impact on us endures.”
“Each time we visit the NICU or connect with a family, we become part of their story, and they become part of ours. I’ve built close relationships with many Henry’s Heroes families, and I love seeing them return to our annual walk, sending photo updates, and sharing milestones online. Every Sunday, I take time to pray for all of our families, because Henry’s Heroes is more than a nonprofit; it’s a community, a family, and a lifelong connection.”
“Each year, our five board members stand on stage at our annual Henry’s Heroes Walk event, and as we stand there, we see the community that supported us from day one. We see the families we held hands with and prayed so hard for. We see the NICU babies who were in strollers last year running in the Cape Crawl. We honor our NICU Angels and dedicate a space for everyone to light a candle in their memory. We are doing something bigger than all of us could imagine. We bring purpose, hope, and comfort to these families and their loved ones.”
To learn more about Henry’s Heroes or get involved, you can visit their website or follow them on Facebook and Instagram. “Mark your calendar for our 4th annual walk on June 6th, attend a live event with Chase Grant, or consider a business partnership. And of course, tell your network about Henry’s Heroes: friends, family, co‑workers, church groups, clubs. Share our mission and stories … You’re helping NICU families feel seen, supported, and connected, and beyond just the medical environment. You’re strengthening the local fabric: when nonprofits, families, volunteers, and businesses link up, the entire community becomes more resilient.”
“With your support, we can continue to grow Henry’s Heroes sustainably and enable us to plan, serve more families, deepen relationships, and create lasting impact. In most conversations we have, someone has been impacted by a NICU stay or has a family member or friend who has. Every NICU journey deserves to be told.”
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