The Hippo Project
Growing up, Annemarie had her own unique way about her. Most kids had a teddy bear - Anne would almost never go anywhere without Hilda, her stuffed Hippopotamus. Why did she choose a hippopotamus? Who knows… but it became a sort of lifelong mascot/symbol that all who knew Anne recognized and honored.
When we first started brainstorming names for the program we’d launch to honor Annemarie we just kept circling around involving the Hippo in some way. And wouldn’t you know it… a little research revealed that the traits of a mother hippopotamus are perfectly aligned with Annemarie’s way of living her life and the cause we want to champion as a means of honoring her legacy.
WHY THE HIPPO PROJECT?
The Hippo Project is inspired by the powerful maternal instincts of the hippopotamus—an animal known for both fierce protection and deep, nurturing care. Just as a hippo mother shields her calf from danger while guiding it through life’s early challenges, our foundation is dedicated to providing children with the safety, support, and resources they need to thrive.
We know Annemarie believed that every child deserves a strong foundation, much like the bond between a mother hippo and her calf. Our goal is to create a community made up of all the people who remember and miss Annemarie and create inspiration that sparks all to find large and smalls way to help guide children in need. We believe that everyone can help and we want to encourage our entire community to search for ways to provide opportunities that foster growth, resilience, and a sense of security. Whether it’s providing essential resources, advocating for their well-being, or creating safe spaces for learning and development, we are committed to standing guard over the future of our children—just as a mother hippo never strays far from her young.