This is Why.....

Many times I forget why we do what we do and while there are many reasons, the one that always comes back to me is it's about the Babies!  We do things for all ages of children even into young adulthood, but it always begins with the babies.


Babies are our future, they are the continuation of life and they give us hope in all things.  They are innocent and totally dependent and helpless - without love and care they cannot survive.

I stumbled onto this story today through another blog that I frequent and it just broke my heart.  Little Afton Jean was born on November 22, 2011 and lived a very short seven days.  But in that short time she made a difference in many lives and continues to do so.  This story may be disturbing and upsetting for many, but in reading about this sweet little miracle we see a glimpse of a small sweet soul who makes us want to hug our babies and children a little tighter each day. 

So---if each of us who has been fortunate enough to have a healthy child in our lives would make a point to reach out and help those who have struggled we could make a difference.  Many babies born too soon don't have a warm hat or blanket or in the event of the worst, a burial outfit.  Take a minute to make a difference.

Anita and the Quilters.....

I believe most of us know someone or know of someone who quilts - they make magic with fabric and thread and thereby create love in a blanket.  A couple of years ago, I was so very fortunate to meet a quilter extraordinaire  - I say this because her quilts are so filled with love that they speak to you - truly!

This year we put out a notice to our little group, The Binky Patrol SC, for preemie quilts - little tiny quilts sized 20 X 20 to send home with preemies that spend their first days and weeks, sometimes months, in the NICU ~ the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.  For any family that experiences this, they don't soon forget the trauma and worry and you are forever filled with gratitude when you are able to take that wonderful little bundle home with you.

Well Anita took the request to heart and we just finished taking pictures of a whopping 86 Preemie Quilts!!!  Our group has never been able to send out quilts to the local NICU's - we have never had enough.  All of our items for the smallest babies have normally been sent out of state to be lumped with others to make enough for other state's NICUs.  This year we will be supplying these little treasures to the following hospitals - shipping out on Monday:  Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte; Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital; Palmetto Baptist Hospital; Lexington Medical Center and the Medical University of SC in Charleston.  SO EXCITING!!!  Anita and her quilters made this possible and we are so very grateful!!!  Anita is truly the most selfless and thoughtful person I have had the pleasure to know and I am so very thankful that she found our group and continues to be a part of it!

Check out the beautiful work of this group on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/binkypatrolsc/  or look to the right of this blog at the Flickr Badge and you can watch them flow through.  What a wonderful blessing for the BPSC and all of the NICUs that will be served!  Thank you Anita and friends!!!