In our nearly 3 month NICU experience with Ava, we noticed something rather sad. So many of these little ones rarely had visitiors. Sometimes it would be days before we would see anyone but the nurses. Then on occasion the parents would show up for a couple of hours and than leave again. 

Then we realized what was happening. It wasn't that parents didn't want to be with their child, but in most cases they could not. So often these little ones were born into families that did not have the financial luxury of taking off time from their jobs to sit bedside with their infant. They absolutely had to work in order to keep a roof over their heards which may have very well included other children.

There was one little girl I remember in particular. She was very ill at birth and was in the NICU much longer than we were. Her family was very poor and could only come to see her on the weekends and they came by bus at that. We noticed as this little girl grew and we saw her more often, she had no real clothes. Touched by her families situation we managed to gather a few little new things for her. Her nurses had been working at getting her a few things too. She was so sweet and her nurses loved her so much.

She was just one case, but there are countless others. So many preemies are born into low income families who were not able to afford the best medical attention possible in the first place. Putting clothes on their little one is something they could not even imagine having the luxury of doing.

This is something that has been in my thoughts since Ava was born 4 1/2 years ago, and maybe I am in a position to make a difference now with your help. Clothes that are used to dress our little ones, are usually so gently used, and would be perfect for re-gifting to new families and their preemies that are not as fortunate as you and I to just shop for whatever we want.

I am willing to receive your gently used preemie clothes and distribute them to preemies and their families. I live right near one of the largest NICUs in the country with over 60 NICU beds and room for overflow. High risk moms are flown in from all directions to spend the duration of their pregnancy there in their women's hospital, in hopes of making it to full term, which doesn't always happen, that is why they are there.

So if you would like to donate your preemie clothes and have them be used in a way that would bring so much pleasure to the parents of preemies, please email me at avababys@hotmail.com and I will let you know how you can get your clothing to me.

I will do my share too. With every order of $75.00 or more I will donate a brand new Preemie Yums NICU shirt as well. 

Thanks!

Rebecca