Last month when I went to Cincinnati to meet with Pampers and other bloggers on the Baby Board, we all shared our Miracle Mission projects. Each idea was better and more inspiring than the next, and the coolest part is that Pampers gave each of us the money and freedom to do something unique and special. My project was to put together care packages for families with a child or children in The Ohio State University NICU. My mom worked as a nurse on the high risk mother / baby floor at OSU for over 30 years and I think every single time I visited her at the work we would walk down the hall and look at the babies in the NICU. So it was a natural choice to gift that NICU with the care packages.
Right before we packed up our house and moved to Alabama, we gathered at Firefly Play Cafe in Columbus, Ohio to assemble all the wonderful donations for our NICU care packages. Firefly was a wonderful place for us to meet because the children have plenty of room to run and play and there was space for us to spread all the awesome products for the care packages. Big thanks to Firefly for hosting, promoting and waiving the entrance fee for folks who donated a gift card to the cause. Many bags got a bonus grocery store or restaurant gift card!
I’ve been blessed with two healthy, full-term babies so I can’t personally imagine the stress associated with having a baby in the NICU. But, I put on my thinking cap and contacted some generous sponsors who were VERY supportive by donating great products to the project. After lots of planning and a fun morning of work, it was so fulfilling to see the 25 beautiful care packages!
Assembly line: Baggu bags, SwaddleDesigns Original Receiving Blanket, CuskiBoo, Sophie the Giraffe and Pampers Wipes and Diapers
More assembly line: grocery store gift cards, Sticky Bellies, BabyLegs Newborn, Bath & Body Works HandiBac
The kids were entertained with painting and bouncing and running around!
Monica and I with all the care packages
A HUGE “Thank You” to all the brands who made the care packages possible: Pampers, SwaddleDesigns, Sophie the Giraffe, CuskiBoo, Baggu, Sticky Bellies and Bath & Body Works!
Make sure you check out the Pampers Facebook page for Miracle Mission projects and to find out how you can make a difference.
Emilie
July 22, 2011What an amazing opportunity to give back! Wow. You did a fabulous job Kate and any new parent would be thrilled to receive one of those bags!
Thanks, Em!
Dealectable Mom
July 22, 2011Wow what an amazing journey! The items are fantastic and I’m sure will be so appreciated by the moms in the Nicu!
Tiff @ Babes and Kids
July 22, 2011It looks like it was a huge success. WTG Kate, those are going to be some grateful parents in the NICU when they get those bags.
Shawn Ann @ Shawn Ann's World
July 22, 2011WOW Great job! I wish someone would do that for our hospital! Having a baby in the NICU for almost 9 weeks now, you really get to know the parents and although it’s great when the babies get to go home, that little extra gift would be awesome.
Thanks, Shawn Ann. I’m so sorry your little one is still in the NICU. Hang in there!
Louise
July 22, 2011That is so awesome. I can’t wait to finish mine. You did a great thing!
Avry
July 22, 2011Wow!! They turned out amazing! Your efforts will touch the lives of many people!
Thanks, Avry! Pampers and the donating companies were really generous.
Jenni
July 22, 2011I had munchkin in the NICU for 18 days. We were very lucky that I was given steriods while on hospital bed rest or it would have been worse. This is an amazing thing that you have done and I would like to share it on my blog if you do not mind. Please email me if it is okay and I will let you know when I post it. Thank you,
Jenni
Hi Jenni! Yes, you may share it on your blog. I’ll post it on FB if you send me the link.
Thanks for asking!
Jennifer @ Mom Spotted
July 26, 2011You rock! What a wonderful thing to do!
Renee
July 27, 2011Great Job Kate! The bags look awesome and will be such a blessing to families who need them!
Beth
August 1, 2011I was wondering if you sent these carepackages to Florida. Me and my sweet baby girl are in the NICU at Wolfsons childrens hospital.. They look amazing!