| Hospital
receives newborn items from national charity
St. Mary’s Hospital recently received a box of crocheted baby blankets, booties, hats and sweaters from Stitches from the Heart, a nonprofit organization based in Santa Monica, California. 
Stitches from the Heart was started four years ago when founder, Kathy Silverton, read an article about babies going home from hospitals without clothing and other necessary items. She began crocheting and donating items to local hospitals, then enlisted friends to help with the project. Eventually the idea grew and now the organization has over 12,000 volunteers who have distributed over half a million items to over 1,000 hospitals across the country. St. Mary’s is one of those facilities. “We certainly appreciate the donation and will use the items for each of our families. You can tell that everything is stitched with a lot of love,” said Barb Michels, RN, OB coordinator. “We always send home supplies and information to help our parents get started with their new arrival. These hand crocheted and knitted items will make our families very happy.” The seven family practice physicians at SMH delivered 84 babies last fiscal year. “We provide a safe secure environment before, after and during the delivery process,” said Michels. “Our nurses and doctors also emphasize the personal, caring atmosphere important during this special time.” To view recent newborns at SMHC visit their website, www.smh-cvhc.org . For more information about Stitches from the Heart visit their website, www.stitchesfromtheheart.org. Hand made items can also be donated directly to the hospital. Call St. Mary’s Hospital, 962-3251, for more information. |
 |