http://www.thepreemieproject.com/index.php/blog The Preemie Project Community Blog en laura-aker@thepreemieproject.com Copyright 2013 2013-03-24T19:49:32-06:00 http://www.thepreemieproject.com/blog/comments/michigan_chapter_dissolution/ http://www.thepreemieproject.com/blog/comments/michigan_chapter_dissolution/#When:19:49:32Z Our hearts are heavy as we make this announcement.  With the full support of the Michigan Chapter Coordinator, Kathleen Plond, we’ve opted to dissolve our Michigan Chapter.  This was not an easy decision.  In fact it was incredibly difficult for everyone involved.  Our mission is to bring warmth and comfort to as many families of critically ill infants as we can.  So, it is difficult for all of us to decide to stop providing this support in an area.  We are so grateful for the love and support we’re received from our volunteers in Michigan.  Your enthusiasm for our mission is truly humbling.  We do not want to leave you without a place to donate your items to.  First, if you would like to continue to donate locally, we suggest that you contact your local NICU to learn more about their specific needs.  A second option would be to support another fantastic organization.  The two organizations listed below have a history of providing support to NICUs in Michigan.  We suggest that you contact them directly for more information. Rosie’s Cozies: Rosie’s Cozies is a project created to honor the families of those fighting for the lives of their children in the NICU.  Hats are donated to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI.  Newborns in Need: Visit the hyperlink to learn about the Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan Chapter In an effort to spread our mission, we are actively working on expanding throughout Iowa.  We often receive requests from our dedicated, enthusiastic, national volunteers who are passionate about spreading our mission.  At this time, we will not be accepting applications or requests for any new chapters outside of Iowa.  We are sorry to disappoint you and we want you to know that we do have many long-term goals and hope to expand outside of Iowa in the future. Thank you for helping us support critically ill infants and their families.  We are grateful for each and every one of you!  Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.  Laura Pabich Founder, President The Preemie Project Events & Announcements, General Blogging, Michigan Chapter 2013-03-24T19:49:32-06:00 http://www.thepreemieproject.com/blog/comments/winter_holidays_donation_contest_winners/ http://www.thepreemieproject.com/blog/comments/winter_holidays_donation_contest_winners/#When:01:59:25Z We would like to thank all of the volunteers who contributed to our 2012 Winter Holidays donation.  We received a record breaking amount of items (approximately 250 hats), which allowed us to bring holiday cheer to 5 Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Iowa.  Items were donated to: The University of Iowa Children’s Hospital (Iowa City) St Luke’s Hospital (Cedar Rapids) Genesis (Davenport) Blank Children’s Hospital (Des Moines) Mercy Hospital (Des Moines) We also held a fun contest, with a great prize, for the volunteers who participated.  AND…the winners are….(dramatic pause)....The Winner of the $50 Gift Card to Etsy for donating the greatest number of hats (3-5lb, 6-8lb and 9-11lb) was Dianna Kuhns!  Dianna had 26 entries into the contest.  Here is a peak at her creative items: Every hat sized 3-5lb or greater also earned each volunteer a chance to win a $25 Etsy gift certificate.  We had nearly 200 entries.  The person randomly selected was Regina Haltom!  Here is a look at the cute, cute items that Regina donated. Congratulations ladies and thank you to all who supported this fun donation.  You helped us to bring smiles and joy to hundreds of families this past holiday season!  We were also blessed to collaborate with former Blank NICU Mom, Carly Nicholl, to bring a special project to our Blank families.  Carly donated a free “mini Christmas photography session” and DVD of edited images to every baby on the unit on December 23rd.  We want to thank CNicholl Photography in Winterset, Iowa for providing our families with this amazing gift!  Here are a few of the photographs that were provided by parents with permission to share. Events & Announcements 2013-01-14T01:59:25-06:00 http://www.thepreemieproject.com/blog/comments/measurements_guide_revision_and_bereavement_program_update/ http://www.thepreemieproject.com/blog/comments/measurements_guide_revision_and_bereavement_program_update/#When:22:47:44Z We are constantly striving to ensure that we provide our volunteers with the best information and the hospitals we support with what really works best.  Over the years we’ve wondered if our measurements for the items we donate are “just right”.  When I started working as an NICU RN, I discovered that our measurements guide wasn’t quite right for our bereavement items.  I found that the guide was giving our volunteers the measurements for the baby, but it didn’t give any insight as to what the garment itself should measure.  After much discussion with our Labor and Delivery and NICU nurse liaisons, we’ve revised our Measurements Guide to accurately reflect what the bereavement garments should measure.  You will notice that the hats measurements remain the same.  However, the second table now provide “Garment Measurements”.  They are still categorized by pounds.  Please note these measurements going forward.  At this time, one of our greatest needs is for items to support our Bereavement Program.  Unfortunately the needs in Iowa are great.  Methodist hospital in Des Moines, IA has requested yearly support for 90 fetal demises.  These losses occur as early as miscarriages in the first trimester and as late as 42 weeks.  We have been able to support the needs of this hospital, but need increased support to meet the needs of many others.  The goal of our Bereavement Program is to provide solace to grieving families through the provision of tiny clothing to hold their baby after his or her birth.  This clothing is offered as a keepsake and another set is given for burial.  A handmade memory box is also give to hold items of remembrance and serve as a symbol of their child’s life. We received a $2,000 grant this year from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation to provide memory boxes to grieving families throughout 2013.  We will be announcing work shop dates in Des Moines and Iowa City soon.  In the meantime, our greatest needs are for handmade clothing items and mementos.  You can find a list of patterns requested by the hospitals we support here.  Our greatest need is for tiny buntings in soft, gender-neutral colors.  Find a knit pattern here and a crochet pattern here.  We also need this gown pattern in soft, pastel blue, pink, yellow, purple and green (please place buttons all of the way down the front for ease of dressing the baby and ensure that there is extra length).  This sleeper sack pattern is also requested.  Matching hats are also helpful. Thank you for considering supporting our Bereavement program.  Please contact us with questions.  We will keep you updated on our needs. Volunteer Opportunities 2012-11-26T22:47:44-06:00 http://www.thepreemieproject.com/blog/comments/enter_to_win_any_craftsy.com_class_of_your_choice/ http://www.thepreemieproject.com/blog/comments/enter_to_win_any_craftsy.com_class_of_your_choice/#When:18:26:35Z So often we hear stories of people who would like to learn how to knit, crochet, or sew.  We recently shared our mission with the folks at Craftsy.com and they were so touched by the work our volunteers are doing that they wanted to help.  Over the next two weeks, we are partnering with Crafsty to offer one free Craftsy Online Course to two lucky winners!   Entering this contest is so simple.  Click on this link to enter via the Offerpop app on Facebook.  It is quick and easy!  You can enter once per day through December 9th at midnight.  Two winners will be notified via email and announced on our website on December 10th.  The winners will be able to choose any online course they wish.  This is a great opportunity for both the beginner and more advanced crafter.  Thank you to the staff at Craftsy for embracing our mission and supporting our volunteers! Events & Announcements 2012-11-26T18:26:35-06:00 http://www.thepreemieproject.com/blog/comments/black_friday_shopping_for_the_babies/ http://www.thepreemieproject.com/blog/comments/black_friday_shopping_for_the_babies/#When:16:00:32Z We did it again.  This morning, loyal TPP volunteers crawled out of bed at 4am to be the first in line at Joann Fabric in Iowa City.  We were looking for the very best deals in fabric for our babies.  We are able to make the most out of our fundraising dollars by making a mad dash to purchase one years worth of fabric on this one crazy day.  The more we save, the more NICUs we can support.  Thanks to over $3,500 in donations for our Black Friday Fabric Fundraiser, we were able to purchase over 700 yards of fabric!  This year our haul filled two large SUVs. With the fantastic once a year Black Friday prices, we saved over $4,200!  Additional fabric was purchase online in the wee hours of the morning on Thanksgiving day.  We will be sure to take a picture when it arrives in the mail.  We feel kind of bad for our mailman.  We’ll make sure he knows that it’s for the babies.  Thanks to all who made this purchase possible.  It’s for our babies!!! Events & Announcements 2012-11-23T16:00:32-06:00 http://www.thepreemieproject.com/blog/comments/you_did_it/ http://www.thepreemieproject.com/blog/comments/you_did_it/#When:06:01:37Z Our Black Friday Fabric Fundraiser came to a close at midnight last night.  We are thrilled to announce that we far surpassed our goal of $3,000 and raised $3,670 to support our programs!  We couldn’t have done it without you. Events & Announcements 2012-11-17T06:01:37-06:00 http://www.thepreemieproject.com/blog/comments/bring_holiday_cheer_to_the_nicu/ http://www.thepreemieproject.com/blog/comments/bring_holiday_cheer_to_the_nicu/#When:18:07:07Z We are gearing up for our Winter Holidays donation. (We are having a great contest! Scroll down for details!)  We really need your help to bring holiday cheer to NICU families across Iowa.  The more items we receive, the more hospitals we can support!  How can you help?  Simply make and donation holiday hats and booties.  You can be as creative as you wish! HOLIDAY DONATION CONTEST We are also having a contest!  The person who donates the greatest number of hats (3-5lb, 6-8lb and 9-11lb) will receive a $50 gift card to http://www.etsy.com!  One person will also be randomly selected from all of the entries to receive a $25 gift card from http://www.etsy.com.  PATTERNS AND GUIDELINES We have a list of pattern links on our website.  You can find it by clicking here.  Please with any new, fun links you think we should add. As always Yarn Guidelines and Crafting Guidelines apply.  Donation Goals: Hat and Bootie Sets: 1-3lb   30 sets 3-5lb   90 sets 6-8lb   90 sets 9-11lb 30 sets This is what we need to support The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics NICU, Blank Children’s Hospital NICU and Mercy Hospital NICU in Des Moines.  We hope this helps to guide your crafting. Donation Date: On or around December 21, 2012 Mail By Date: Please mail in your donations by December 14, 2012 As always, it’s for the babies! Events & Announcements 2012-11-08T18:07:07-06:00 http://www.thepreemieproject.com/blog/comments/2012_pumpkin_donation_wrap-up_and_contest_winners/ http://www.thepreemieproject.com/blog/comments/2012_pumpkin_donation_wrap-up_and_contest_winners/#When:17:18:44Z Thanks to all who participated in our Pumpkin Donation.  Thanks to your support we were able to donate to 3 NICU in Iowa!  We brought our pumpkin patch to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City and to Blank Children’s Hospital and Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.  We received such a great response from the nurses and the families!  Several families shared pictures of their little pumpkins on our Facebook Page.  We would love for you to visit our Facebook page, but here is a little preview.  This little guy’s mom said that this hat and booties made her day.  First set that actually fit his tiny head! We are excited to announce the winners of the pumpkin donation.  Dianna Kuhns donated the most hat and booties sets and won a $50 gift card to http://www.knitpicks.com.  Barb Goode was our random drawing winner, winning a $25 gift certificate to http://www.knitpicks.com.  Congratulations and thank you ladies!  With your support, we were able to provide Halloween cheer to over 150 babies in Iowa.  TPP volunteers are the best! Events & Announcements 2012-11-01T17:18:44-06:00 http://www.thepreemieproject.com/blog/comments/2012_black_friday_fabric_fundraiser/ http://www.thepreemieproject.com/blog/comments/2012_black_friday_fabric_fundraiser/#When:19:12:28Z Last November we raised over $2,500 in honor of National Prematurity Awareness Month.  We were overwhelmed by the support our fundraising campaign received!  All funds raised went towards our “Black Friday Fabric Fund” to purchase fabric on Black Friday to support our programs.  Click here to read about our 2011 Black Friday Purchases. This year we’ve decided to start our fundraising campaign a little earlier.  Plus, we are upping the stakes.  We are campaigning to raise $3,000 from October 15, 2012 to November 16, 2012.  Like last year, all donations will go towards our “Black Friday Fabric Fund”.  This fund has been set-up to purchase fabric during Black Friday sales (on the day after Thanksgiving) to support our programs. What can we accomplish with $3,000?  Here are just a few examples: 1. Blanket Sleepers for 750 infants.  Blanket Sleepers not only provide warmth but also provide nursing staff with a teaching tool to help decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.  Click here for more information on this program. 2. 350 Hawkeye Blankets for the “Littlest Hawkeyes” in Iowa. 3. Bedding to support a 60 bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for over year.  The bedding not only provides a soft, comfortable surface for the babes, it also provides a warm welcoming space for families in an otherwise sterile environment. We hope you will consider contributing to this campaign.  No donation is too small and every bit helps! Donations can be made two ways: 1. Via PayPal by clicking the button below: 2. Or Mail Donations to: The Preemie Project PO Box 1310 Iowa City, Iowa 52244 Note: Black Friday Fabric Fund As always, it’s for the babies!! Laura Events & Announcements 2012-10-15T19:12:28-06:00 http://www.thepreemieproject.com/blog/comments/fall_2012_newsletter/ http://www.thepreemieproject.com/blog/comments/fall_2012_newsletter/#When:16:01:16Z We are very pleased to announce that we are bringing back our newsletter.  Thank you to our newsletter editor, Jessica Wallace, for sharing her time and talents to support our mission.  We hope that you enjoy it!  Newsletter_-_Summer_Fall_2012.pdf Newsletter 2012-09-24T16:01:16-06:00