By Rebecca Barnes | Photos by Mark Gilvey
More than 1,000 brightly folded origami cranes filled the main entrance of UVA Health Prince William Medical Center on Tuesday morning, transforming the lobby into a visible symbol of generosity, hope, and community spirit. The display represented more than $14,000 raised to benefit UVA Health Children’s through Origami for Hope, a grassroots fundraising effort led by volunteers from across the country and around the world.
The event welcomed hospital leaders, NICU and Labor & Delivery staff, volunteers, and community members, along with Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger, who attended in support of community-driven efforts benefiting local children and families.
“This project is a reminder of what’s possible when compassion, creativity, and community come together in support of children’s health,” said Davis-Younger. “The Crusaders of Chaotic Kindness transformed a global fundraising effort into a meaningful, local expression of hope for children and families receiving care at UVA Health. These origami cranes symbolize encouragement and healing and reflect Manassas’ shared commitment to supporting the well-being of our youngest residents and those who care for them.”
The fundraising campaign was organized by Rico Li, founder of The Crusaders of Chaotic Kindness for Extra Lifers, part of Extra Lifers, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals program that supports children’s hospitals through community and gaming-based fundraising. The group’s motto is Play Games. Heal Kids. Change Futures., which reflects its mission to turn creative engagement into tangible impact.
Li and volunteer instructor Vincent Cao were on site throughout the morning teaching visitors how to fold origami cranes, a tradition rooted in Japanese culture symbolizing peace, hope, and longevity for those who are ill. Visitors were invited to fold a crane as they headed upstairs to visit patients, helping carry messages of encouragement throughout the hospital.
The campaign united more than 30 volunteers across five states and four countries, who collectively hosted more than 80 hours of online events to reach their fundraising goal. What began as a virtual effort culminated in a powerful local display that connected global generosity with real-world impact inside the hospital.
Hospital staff shared appreciation for the uplifting presence the cranes brought into the facility, offering moments of brightness and connection for patients, families, and caregivers alike.
Events like Origami for Hope highlighted how volunteer leadership, creativity, and community partnerships strengthened healthcare close to home, reinforcing the impact everyday citizens can make when they come together for a shared purpose.
Rebecca Barnes is the Publisher of Prince William Living and the CEO of Imagine, a destination marketing agency serving communities across Virginia and beyond. With a background in journalism and public information, she is passionate about telling stories that highlight the people, organizations, and partnerships strengthening local quality of life. A longtime community advocate and nonprofit leader, Rebecca believes in the power of connection, service, and thoughtful storytelling to inspire positive change.
