Students partnered with Linda Barnhill, a local community member, to create bonding hearts for families at Mercy NICU. Bonding hearts are small fabric hearts designed to provide comfort and connection between NICU babies and their parents. Parents wear the hearts against their skin. The hearts are then placed with their baby and carry a familiar scent that can help soothe babies and provide reassurance and emotional comfort and help with bonding for families during NICU stays. While this project did not focus on advanced technology, students developed valuable soft skills including communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Ms. Barnhill generously donated three sewing machines and visited our EAST program multiple times to teach students how to use the machines and create the bonding hearts. Students also worked with a local NICU nurse, Anna Lairamore, to better understand how the hearts provide comfort and connection for babies and parents during NICU stays. This project highlighted the importance of community partnerships, service learning, and compassion in making a meaningful impact.