YOUR STORY MATTERS HERE: Dalton Barnett

By Jenny Monahan

Dalton Barnett is in many ways a typical high school senior. He’s a successful student and an athlete on the men’s volleyball team at Seneca Valley High School (SVHS). He has been actively involved with Dutilh Student Ministry. He works part-time at Climo’s Pizza and Chicken. In recent weeks, Dalton—like many of his peers—has been working on his senior project, a graduation requirement at SVHS.

The purpose of the senior project, Dalton explained, is to set a goal and complete it during senior year.

“Some people are learning to play an instrument or doing service. Really, it can be anything,” Dalton said. “The idea is to get out of your comfort zone and try something that will stretch you.”

What makes Dalton’s story a little different is the experience that led him to this particular senior project, where he will work with Zachary’s Mission, a non-profit organization that supports families of medically fragile children by providing basic necessities, financial assistance, and programs that nurture emotional well-being.

In November 2017, Dalton spent eight days at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, where he underwent open-heart surgery to replace a valve—twice, after the first attempt was unsuccessful.

“People helped me when I was in the hospital,” Dalton explained, “so I wanted to give back. I wanted to do something to help others the way they’d helped me.”

That impulse stems from Dalton’s faith, he said. His family – dad Garrick, mom Diana, and younger brother Ethan – has attended Dutilh Church since 2010.

“The best part about Dutilh is the complete openness of the church,” Dalton said. “People are so accepting here, and they’re open to anyone.” He has also enjoyed being part of the various programs, events, and service opportunities for young people offered through Dutilh Student Ministry.

It’s partly because of the way Dutilh Church has shaped Dalton’s faith to love God, love others, and love to serve, that he wanted to do something to help others. Because of his own experience in the hospital, it made sense to him to focus on families with medical issues.

While Dalton was in the hospital, he and his family received a heart-shaped therapeutic pillow from Jameson’s Army and a “Zack’s Pack” filled with toiletries and other helpful items. The Barnetts were in the hospital over Thanksgiving, and someone provided Thanksgiving dinner for families in the cardiac ICU. Therapy dogs visited patients to help pass the time and ease the stress.

For his senior project, Dalton is working with mentor Patti Vince, executive director of Zachary’s Mission, to execute a two-pronged plan. First, Dalton will design an online social media campaign that the organization can use to assist with donations. Second, he will devote time to packing some Zach’s Packs for other families—the same gift his family received during Dalton’s time in the hospital.

“Parents are often unprepared for an overnight hospital stay,” explained Diana Barnett. “Especially if a family wasn’t expecting to be in the hospital overnight, the Zach’s Pack can be a big help.”

Though no one wants to go through medical issues and hospital stays, Dalton has transformed that experience into a meaningful way to love and serve others.

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If you or someone you know in the Dutilh family has an interesting story or profession, send us your ideas! We would love to help tell the story. Email: communications@dutilhumc.org.