One Family, One Parking Lot, Thousands of Diapers: How the Follmer Family Turned Compassion Into Action
by Elizabeth Bonin, Hennepin Healthcare Foundation
Suzi Follmer and her family knew they had to do something. For weeks, they listened to stories about families who couldn’t leave their homes for basic necessities and medical appointments for fear of Operation Metro Surge. This hit especially hard because Suzi’s husband, Ryan, works for Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute.
“Living thirty minutes outside of the Twin Cities in Wright County, we felt really helpless,” Suzi said. “But then we realized there was something tangible we could do.”
Suzi and Ryan felt inspired after hearing about the baby supply drive at the Trampled By Turtles concert that benefited Hennepin Healthcare, so Ryan contacted the Labor and Delivery Center to learn what was most needed. Suzi called a few family members and friends and made social media posts asking for donations of items for young families at Hennepin Healthcare.
“I can’t imagine not being able to take my newborn in for help in fear of something terrible happening,” Suzi said. “I know that if it were our family in that position, those parents would do the same for us.”
The Follmers used a local restaurant parking lot to collect donations. Within one hour, Suzi’s car was completely full. After just a few days of collections, they ended up with 6,657 diapers, 138 packages of wipes, and over 200 ounces of formula that Suzi and her friend Melissa delivered to Hennepin Healthcare.
“People were excited that there was something tangible we could do in our area,” Suzi shared. “Our community really stepped up to help. It was emotional and inspiring, and my son is wondering what’s next!”
Suzi emphasized that there’s always something we can do: “There are a lot of good people out there, and if we all do a little bit, we can make a difference.”
If you feel the same compassion for community as the Follmer family, you can make a donation to the Pediatric Mobile Health Unit, urgent patient needs, our Healing the Healers campaign, or another cause that is meaningful to you.