Meredith Miracles is working to expand its efforts statewide, officials said Thursday.

Director Emily Yehling said she and June Simpson of the organization traveled to Children’s Hospital in Birmingham on Wednesday to meet with social workers to ask that they begin referring families in need to the non-profit organization that offers non-medical related financial support to families with sick and injured children from the area who need specialized care not available locally.

Those things include, but aren’t limited to transportation, food or lodging money.

Yehling said hospital officials agreed to refer patients to the organization.

“We were able to have all the social workers together,” she said. “We just wanted to let them know how we can help.”

Additionally, the pair visited the Ronald McDonald House, where they also asked for referrals.

“If (the Ronald McDonald House) gets a family, when they sign-in and they tell them the cost, they don’t always have the money to pay for that, and we can help with that,” she said.

Yehling said she plans to travel to children’s health facilities in Pensacola and Mobile.

“We are hoping that if this works out, we will be statewide,” she said. “If we can get the cooperation from these hospitals, we will be able to reach out to others.”

So far this year, the organization has reached out to 43 families, handing out some $19,000.

“We are on a trend to do $60,000 this year, but could do more,” she said. “We are moving forward with our organization.”

The organization was founded 10 years ago in honor of Meredith McGlamory, who passed away from a form of childhood cancer in 2003. She is Simpson’s granddaughter and the daughter of Janna Marsh and Russell McGlamory.

The organization raises funds through a thrift store, Valentine sweet shoppe, fish fry and their biggest fundraiser of the year – Cookies with Characters.