Zachary's Mission celebrates 10 years of caring with Facebook giveaway

Patricia and Robert Vince could have let grief consume them when their son, Zachary, died 15 days after his birth.

Instead, the Greensburg couple reached out to help others. Over the years, they’ve built a lasting memorial to their middle son and assisted thousands of families with medically fragile children through Zachary’s Mission, the charity they named for their child who died of a congenital heart defect.

Zachary would have turned 12 in June. Today, Zachary’s Mission, the charity that bears his name, is 10 years old. On Wednesday, the Vinces and their friends are celebrating with a giveaway.

They’re inviting supporters to take a chance at winning one of 10 prizes by purchasing a ticket for $10. Each ticket allows 10 chances to win restaurant gift cards, a Visa gift card, a hat signed by Paul Wahlberg, wine and more.

Tickets are available at the Zachary’s Mission Facebook site until noon, when the chances will be drawn during a Facebook Live event on the Ya Jagoff Facebook site.

Patricia Vince said proceeds from the event as well as the Sharing Hearts Gala in November help underwrite the cost of Zach Packs. The backpacks, stuffed with snacks and grooming essentials, are distributed to families at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, West Penn Hospital, the NICU at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital and to families from Excela Westmoreland Hospital whose children are referred to the Pittsburgh specialty hospitals. The charity also provides gas cards and emotional support programs.

Each year, the charity provides about 800 Zach Packs to families across the region.