The Amelia Spires Heart Project has announced a major new project that will carry Amelia’s name and mission into the future — an Art & Music Therapy Center inside the new Gayle and Tom Benson Ochsner Children’s Hospital, scheduled to open in 2028.

Amelia is the daughter of Red River Parish native Samantha Craig Spires and her husband, Allen Spires. The Heart Project has grown from Amelia’s own experiences into an effort focused on helping other children and families facing hospital stays.

The Amelia Spires Heart Project Art & Music Therapy Center will be located within the Nest Family Center on the hospital’s fourth floor. The center will offer art, music and other creative therapies for children during inpatient hospital stays, providing opportunities for them to create, play, express themselves and find some comfort during challenging days.

Perhaps the most meaningful part of the project is that Amelia helped choose its purpose. When asked how the Heart Project could help other children at Ochsner, Amelia was concerned about what children would have to do while staying in the hospital. That conversation led to the idea of creating a dedicated space for arts and crafts, music and other creative activities.

The organization said continued fundraising and community support will help make projects such as the new therapy center possible.

Supporters will have an opportunity to be part of that effort at an upcoming Amelia Spires Heart Project event on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. at Spires Family Farm, 10533 Oak Grove Highway in Mer Rouge. Tickets and sponsorship information are available through the Amelia Spires Heart Project website.

When the new hospital opens in 2028, the center will provide a lasting way for Amelia’s idea to bring comfort, creativity and a little more joy to children during their hospital stays.

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