Summers Family Funds Safe Sleep Program in Springfield
The family donated proceeds from their Hearts for Harrison fundraiser to support infant safety at HSHS St. John's Hospital.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Philanthropy
The Summers family has donated proceeds from their annual Hearts for Harrison fundraiser to a safe sleep program at HSHS St. John's Hospital in Springfield. The funds provide essential items like cribs, pack-and-plays, and sleep sacks to local families in need.
Why it matters
The family launched this initiative to prevent future sleep-related infant deaths after their son, Harrison, died in 2021. The program directly addresses physical resource limitations that often prevent parents from adhering to safe sleep standards at home.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports more than 3,000 annual infant deaths from Sudden Unexplained Infant Death nationwide. Harrison Summers was born at a gestation age of 33 weeks and spent 17 days in the NICU.
The players
Harrison Summers
Harrison Summers was a young child whose death in 2021 motivated his family to establish a local safe sleep advocacy initiative.
HSHS St. John's Hospital
HSHS St. John's Hospital is a medical facility in Springfield that provides maternal care and educates new parents on infant health and safety.
Department of Children and Family Services
The Department of Children and Family Services is a government agency that manages child welfare and professional licensing for daycare facilities.
The details
The Summers family transformed their annual autumn hog roast into a charitable event to support the hospital's efforts. HSHS St. John's Hospital teaches safe sleep protocols to new parents prior to discharge, while the donated resources help remove barriers to implementing these practices.
Timeline
October 12, 2021: Harrison Summers died.
2022: The family began the Hearts for Harrison fundraiser.
Autumn 2026: The latest Hearts for Harrison fundraiser occurred.
Market Landscape
The family's efforts follow the revocation of a daycare license under the Department of Children and Family Services licensing standards. This transition from private grief to community advocacy highlights a broader shift in local public health efforts toward preventative support for vulnerable families.
Local families in need can now access essential safe sleep equipment, including cribs and pack-and-plays, through HSHS St. John's Hospital. These resources help ensure that new parents can maintain safe sleep environments for their infants regardless of their financial resources.
The takeaway
Families interested in improving infant safety should consult hospital staff about available support programs and standardized safe sleep protocols. Establishing a consistent sleep environment is a primary recommendation from health authorities to help reduce the risk of sudden infant mortality.
Further reading
Learn more about local charitable initiatives in the Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WICS.
