The Preemie Project

Event: University of Iowa Day of Action

Friday 1/20/2006 University of Iowa Day of Action

On Friday, 1/20/2006, we had the pleasure of being invited to the University of Iowa Campus for their Day of Action event.  Along with other charity groups from the community, we spent the day in the Iowa Memorial Union. 

We arrived at 9:30am to set-up our area for the day.  Preemie Project volunteers Jamie and Pat were graceous enough to help us with the set-up.  We filled two tables with gorgeous items made and donated by Preemie Project volunteers.  We received many wonderful comments about our example items throughout the day.  Great job volunteers!! 

Here's what our tables looked like.  Click to enlarge photo.  (Pictured below, our NICU table.  Left: Preemie Project Volunteer Jamie of Iowa City, IA.  Right: Preemie Project Founder Laura Aker)

(Pictured below: The Bereavement Table)

We spent the morning and afternoon speaking with people in the community about the project.  During the moments we weren't busy we spent doing what we do best, knitting and crocheting!!  What else would we do?! 

Our mission for this event was to inform the community about Preterm Birth and Neonatal Death, and gain support for The Preemie Project.  We passed out informational materials for The Preemie Project and The March of Dimes.  (Our local chapter of the March of Dimes sent us informational materials to use.  Thank You!)  We were also lucky enough to sign-up over a dozen new volunteers.  We're looking forward to welcoming them to the group!

(Pictured below: Linda Aker speaks with community members about The Preemie Project.)

In hopes of drumming up support from University students, we offered quick knit and crochet lessons too.  We weren't sure if anyone would ask for a lesson.  We did teach 3 students to knit and inviting them to join our Tuesday Knit Night group in order to get additional help.

(Left to Right: Linda Aker, UI Student Nicole learning how to knit, Preemie Project Founder Laura Aker)

With the Day of Action event past us, we're now preparing for the UI Spring Volunteer Fair next Wednesday 1/25/2006.  We'll be among 50 other organizations at the IMU hoping to sign-up students as new volunteers.  Many students will be looking to sign-up through the 10,000 Hours Show.  The 10,000 Hours show is an event on campus where students sign-up and complete 10 hours of community service in the community.  Once their hours our completed they receive a free concert ticket for the end of the year.  We're hoping to find all the knitters on campus to sign-up with us.  Keep your fingers crossed!

Thank you to Jamie, Pat and Linda for their help with this event.  I couldn't have done it without you.  Also, thank you to the University of Iowa and the Civic Engagement Program for inviting us to attend this wonderful event.  It was out pleasure and we appreciate all of you help.  A special thank you to Mary Mathew Wilson.  Mary has been a huge help to our organization lately.  She even had a local newpaper interview us during the event.  We really cannot thank her enough for her support.  Thanks Mary!

Laura Aker
Founder and Project Coordinator
The Preemie Project
"Booties, Bonnets and Blankets for Premature Babies"

contact me!
www.thepreemieproject.com

Winter Holidays Donation 2005

Wednesday 12/21/2005, the Iowa Chapter made a donation to The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics NICU in Iowa City, Iowa.

For the past two months, Preemie Project volunteers having been knitting, crocheting and sewing items for the upcoming Winter Holidays 2005 donation.  We've received many donations of Santa Hats, Snowflake Booties and the like from all across the country.  These items are just too precious!  We hope that these special items will bring some comfort to the families spending the holidays in the hospital.  We understand that this is a very difficult time to have a loved one in the hospital and want to show our extra support for these families.

The Volunteers did an excellent job this year.  Just look at all of the special items we received: 

This year the Winter Holidays Donation Included:

Hats and Booties:

1-3 lb    28 Sets
3-5 lb    36 Sets
6-8 lb    35 Sets
9-11 lb  13 Sets
Total: 112 Sets

Blankets:
39 Small Blankets
23 Large Blankets
Total: 62 Blankets

Great job this year to all of our volunteers!  I am SO appreciative of your contributions.  Next year we will strive to reach even larger goals.  We will plan to start the Christmas items months in advance in order to meet these larger goals.
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Upcoming Donation:

Iowa Chapter Donation- University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics NICU and Touching Hearts Program.  (February 1, 2006)

Upcoming Events:

-Martin Luther King Day of Action
The University of Iowa, Iowa Memorial Union
Friday, 1/20/2006
10am to 4pm

-Spring Semester Volunteer Fair
The University of Iowa, Iowa Memorial Union
Wednesday 1/25/2006
11am to 4pm

(Our Organization is now signed up with the 10,000 Hours Show through the University.  We hope to team up with many students to continue our mission throughout Iowa)

-Knittin' 4 Preemies: A Community Knit On 
Beads and Beyond, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Saturday 2/4/2006
10am to 4pm

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There is so much to look forward to this year!  Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this organization these past months. We wouldn't be here without you.  Keep those needles clickin'!!!

Laura Aker
Founder
The Preemie Project
"Booties, Bonnets and Blankets for Premature Babies"

Donation made to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics NICU

Monday December 5, 2005

The Preemie Project's Iowa Chapter recently made their second, regular donation to The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics NICU in Iowa City, Iowa.   With the help of many local and national volunteers, we're now supporting this hospital year round.  We will need a lot of support to continue this.

(Pictured: NICU Nurse Manager Angela Shalla)

Our wonderful volunteers came through yet again, meeting our donation goals.  Wonderful job everyone! 
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Donation Totals:

Hat and Bootie Sets

1-3 lb  21 Sets
3-5 lb  51 Sets
6-8 lb  50 Sets
9-11lb 13 Sets

Blankets

Small:  51 Blankets
Large:  50 Blankets

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Thank you to all of the local volunteers who braved the cold to help deliver this donation.  I really appreciated your help. 

We didn't quite reach our large blanket goal of 75, but I think that 50 is a GREAT number.  Now we're gearing up for our Winter Holiday donation.  We need all of the Santa Hats and X-Mas themed blankets that we can get.  Scroll down for patterns.  We need ALL the help we can get with this donation!!!

Thank you to all of the volunteers who made this donation possible.  I am amazed at what we've been able to accomplish in such a short time.  I can't wait to see what happens in 2006!  Keep those needles clickin'!

Great Job!
Laura Aker

Founder
The Preemie Project
"Booties, Bonnets and Blankets for Premature Babies"



 

Community Event: Girl Scout Troop #2019

Friday, November 11, 2005 I had the pleasure of meeting some amazing young women in my community.  I attended a meeting of Girl Scout Troop #2019 in Iowa City, Iowa to discuss the need for tiny clothing items and bereavement mementos.  The eighth graders I met were surprised by just how tiny some premature infants can be.  After a quick discussion of the types of items we donate, the girls were ready and eager to help.

The Girl Scouts kept themselves busy all night long making Memento Bracelets, and cutting out fabric animals for our bereavement program. 

(Pictured:  The Girl Scouts and I hard at work, while troop leader, Amy Nicholson, looks on.)

Later on the Girl Scouts took a quick break to smile for the camera:

The girls were still busy working when I left the meeting 2 hours later.  They spent the rest of their sleepover making additional bracelets and cutting out fabric animals. 

The girls made a grand total of:

 

33 Cut-Out StuffedAnimals

(Click on image to enlarge)

219 Memento Bracelets

(Click on image to enlarge)

Great job girls!!  It was such a joy to meet all of you.  We really appreciate all of your help.  Keep up with the wonderful work you are doing for your community.  You're doing such a fantastic job!

Preemie Project Angel Donation

Wednesday November 2, 2005

I had the pleasure of attended a OB Gyn nurses meeting at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics this afternoon.  Jane Wilkins invited me to come and speak about The Preemie Project.  It gave me an opportunity to discuss the types of items that we wish to provide and receive feedback as well.

First off, since I was at the hospital I decided to make a small donation of the bereavement items that I had on hand.  Since the UIHC has such a great need for the types of items we provide for early losses, I wanted to get them started as soon as possible.

****************************************************************
On Behalf of The Preemie Project's Volunteers I donated:

-Mementos:

• Teddy Bears and Bunnies: 25
• Angels: 5
• Bracelets: 66

-Angel Wraps: 11
-Buntings: 10
-Outfits: 6
-Blankets: 5
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These items will give the nurses a small start, but it's just not enough to last very long.  The UIHC has the following URGENT needs:

1. White Bereavement Blankets (Sizes on the new website.  Scroll down to the bottom for the sizes.)  They especially need the smaller sizes.  They have a lot of early losses and miscarriages.

2. Angel Wraps and Buntings: All colors appropriate.  All sizes Needed

3. Teeny Tiny Outfits-

4. Mementos: Hankies, Teddy Bears/Bunnies,

See the new website for various patterns for these items. 

The Mementos are extremely important for women experiencing a miscarriage.  They will not get a chance to see and hold their child.  Many of them really need something concrete to hold onto.  The hankies and tiny animals are perfect for this. 

Please contact me if you are interested in sewing the Hankies or knitting/crocheting white blankets.  We need you!!!!

Receiving feedback from the nurses was great.  One thing that volunteers should know is that it's important to have a touch of color in the burial buntings, and outfits.  The nurses dress the infants in one of those items and by request they will also take a picture of the baby.  Having color in the garment can make the infant appear better in the picture.

Thank you to Jane Wilkins for inviting me to join the meeting.  I enjoyed being able to discuss the project with the people who will be givinging our donations to the families.  It definitely gave me another perspective on bereavement.  What a wonderful, caring group of OB Gyn nurses!  Thank You!

To The Preemie Project's Volunteers- We have a lot of work to do in order to fully support the UIHC Touching Hearts Program.  Keep working on items for early losses.  You're doing a fantastic job!

Your List Mom,
Laura Aker

Founder and Project Coordinator
The Preemie Project
"Booties, Bonnets and Blankets for Premature Babies"

 

October 2005 Iowa Chapter Meeting

This afternoon, Preemie Project volunteer got together at Laura Aker's home.  It was a fun afternoon full of first impressions.  It was wonderful to see new volunteers joining us at our meetings.  New volunteers are always welcome!

The volunteers spent the time chatting about different preemie patterns, learning more about the project and getting to know one another.  We worked on beaded Memento Bracelets to keep our hands busy.

We made all sizes of blue/white, pink/white and white Memento Bracelets.  The bracelets will be donated to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Touching Hearts Program.  Look how many we made!

We ended up finishing 66 Memento Bracelets.  Not bad for one Sunday Afternoon! 

Thank you to all of the ladies who attended the meeting.  I had a lot of fun!  Remember to check the "News and Events" section of the Iowa Chapter on the new website, for upcoming events and Chapter Meetings.  Don't forget about our upcoming Iowa Hospital donation to the UIHC NICU and Touching Hearts Program.  The tentative date is December 1, 2005.  Plus we also have our "Winter Holidays" UIHC NICU donation, 7-10 days prior to Christmas.  Don't forget about the regular and Winter Holiday Items! 

You can drop your donations off at one of our "Donation Centers", or set-up a time with me to drop off your items.  I'm sure that we can work something out.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.  That's what I'm here for!

Keep those needles clickin! 

Laura Aker
Founder
The Preemie Project
"Booties, Bonnets and Blankets for Premature Babies"

Iowa City Senior Center Program- Spreading the Word

Friday October 28th, 2005 The Preemie Project's Iowa Chapter held their first local event.  Laura Aker, the project Founder, and other local volunteers gave a program from 1-3pm at the Iowa City Senior Center.  The mission of the center is to provide residents of Johnson County, who are over 50 years of age, opportunities to participate in lifelong learning experiences and access to services that promote wellness, community involvement and personal Growth.  It's a wonderful place.  Be sure to stop into their gift shop if you're ever in the area.  It's full of gorgeous handmade items.  It's one of Iowa's best kept secrets!

The goal of the program was to spread the word about The Preemie Project amongst citizens of Iowa City of all ages, with the hope of finding local volunteers  At first it seemed as if the program wasn't going to be a success.  Laura and the volunteers were set-up and ready to go at 15 minutes 'til 1pm.  Set-up went smoothly and the only problem seemed to be that people weren't showing up very early.  A couple of people had stopped by to pick up and get information but couldn't stay for the program.  Then it was 5 minutes 'til 1pm and no one had arrived.  Laura and the other volunteers began to get very worried.

Just when it seemed as if the program wasn't going to happen, Susan Rogusky, the Center's Volunteer Specialist, walked into the room.  Thank Goodness!  She had been looking for us.  Luckily, there had just been some confusion as to which room the program was supposed to be in.  Once the attendees were able to find the right room, everything went great.

The volunteers set-up a table of examples, brochures, patterns etc.  They did a beautiful job.  Take a look!

 

The Program began with Laura Aker, the Project Founder and Iowa Chapter Coordinator, giving an introduction and description of The Preemie Project.  She discussed how the project began, where we are now and what the future holds.  The main discussion was the Iowa Chapter's Vision for the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and Touching Hearts Program.  (The Touching Hearts Program is the UIHC'c infant bereavement program.)

We had a wonderful turnout of about 10-15 people.  After Laura spoke, the rest of the time was given to the attendees to ask questions, speak with the current volunteers, look at examples and choose patterns to take home with them.  Welcome to all of the new volunteers!  We had a lovely time getting to know you all and we hope to get a chance to work with you in the near future.

A Couple Thank Yous

Thank you to Susan Rogusky, for allowing us to come and speak at the Center.  We had such a wonderful time.  Susan has done such an amazing job with helping us spread the word about The Preemie Project.  She put out a press release that landed us in our local paper, and Laura on the local evening news.  We wouldn't be where we are without her.  The week of the program was such a whirlwind!!   Thank you Susan!

Thank you to all of the local volunteers who attended the program:

-Debbie Cowherd
-Libby Wilson
-Linda Aker
-Megan Allen
-MJ Humphrey and her Mom

I couldn't have done it without you!  I am so proud of the fantastic job that you all did.  Thank you all for your help!  (The cupcakes and cookies were so yummy too.)

Reminders

Please check the "News and Events" Section of the Iowa Page on the new website for other upcoming local events.  We would love for you to attend and/or help with the planning and set-up. 

If you're interested in becoming a local volunteer and would like to be kept up to date with local news and events:

**There are no rules, membership dues, donation

quotas, or obligations. 

Make and donation what you can, when you can.**

-Sign-up for our Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thepreemieproject/

(or)

-Sign-up for our emailing list:  http://www.thepreemieproject.com/pages/14/index.htm

Volunteers- Keep up the great work!  I am SO proud of all of you!  Remember that The Preemie Project is nothing without you.  We are blessed to have the best volunteers.  Keep those needles clickin'.  I can hear them from here!

Your List Mom,
Laura Aker

Founder and Project Coordinator
The Preemie Project
"Booties, Bonnets and Blankets for Premature Babies"

Pumpkin Push 2005

During the past couple of months Preemie Project volunteers have been knitting, crocheting and sewing items for an upcoming special holiday donation called "Pumpkin Push 2005".  I've been receiving Pumpkin Hats with matching booties as well as pumpkin themed blankets from all over the country.  All of our volunteers have done an amazing job.  They definently put extra stitches of love into these items.

On Friday October 21, 2005 The Preemie Project donated these special items to The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics NICU.  All of the nurses in the unit's 4 Bays were very excited to receive such a special donation.  They were even graceous enough to pose for a picture.

(We would lke to thank Angela Shalla, the nurse manager, (Pictured Left) for all of her help.) 

The volunteers did such a fantastic job on this donation.  They sent in enough hats, booties and blankets that we not only met our total goals, we went over them.   Look at all of these cute hats!

This Donation Included:

Hat and Bootie Sets- 80 Sets

Blankets: 57

Small Blankets: 52

Large Blankets: 5

Great Job Volunteers!!

Thank you to all of the volunteers who made Pumpkin Push 2005 a success.

Please join us in our next upcoming Special Donation.  Join us in making items for "Winter Holidays 2005".  The Iowa Chapter will be donating Santa, Christmas Tree and Elf Hats with matching booties and Christmas themed blankets.  We will also be donating white and blue items for Hanukkah and snowflake/winter themed items for those not celebrating a holiday.  These items will be donated approximately 10-15 days prior to Christmas Eve.

Patterns for these Holiday Items:

Christmas Present Hat (crochet)

Christmas Tree Hat  (knit)

Santa Hat (crochet)

Santa Hat  (knit)

Holiday Hats and Socks (knit)

Elf Hats and Socks (knit and crochet)

Santa Hat  (knit on double points)

Snowflake Hat and Socks

Upcoming Iowa Chapter Events:

Friday October 28th: Iowa City Senior Center Program 1-3pm Rm 202

Sunday October 30th: Iowa Chapter Meeting at 2pm  (We would love for you to join us if you're in the area.  Please e-mail Laura Aker if you are interested in attending: laura-aker@thepreemieproject.com)

Upcoming Donations:

Iowa Chapter Donation- University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics NICU and Touching Hearts Program in Iowa City, IA.  (around December 1, 2005)

Winter Holidays Donation- University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics NICU in Iowa City, IA  (10-15 days prior to Christmas Eve)

Thank you to all of the volunteers that allow us to make such wonderful hospital donations.  It is amazing how you all accomplish the goals you are given.  Keep up the great work!

Laura Aker

Founder

The Preemie Project

"Booties, Bonnets and Blankets for Premature Babies"

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clnics NICU - Donation Drop Off Day!

The Preemie Project made it's very first hospital donation on 9/2/2005 to The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics NICU in Iowa City, Iowa.  It was such an exciting and important day! 

Here is a sneak peak at the NICU and the four tubs containing our donation.  We weren't able to take other pictures because we had stopped in at a very busy time.  They still took the time to tell us how excited they were to receive our donation.  What wonderful people they have working in this unit. 

Here were our donation totals:

139 Hat and Bootie Sets

98 Blankets

We were a little short on our large blanket donation goal.  We really need all of the large blankets that we can get.  The large blanket sizes range from a 30" to 36" square.  The blankets may be knitted, crocheted or sewn.  We are also always accepting donations of blanket sewing materials: flannel, fleece, Wright's Blanket Binding, Thread etc.

While our greatest need is for large blankets, we also have a need for these items: (please see the Preemie Measurements Guide for all.)

-Hat and Bootie Sets  (of all sizes)

-Blankets: SM- 20" to 25" square

-going home outfits (of all sizes, preemie to newborn): dresses, sweaters, onesies, diaper covers   (soakers) etc,.  These items can be handmade or store bought

-Supplies: office supplies like cardstock, printer paper, pastel colored paper etc.  SOFT BABY yarn, sewing supplies, etc.  Preemie-Newbron new or gently used store-bought clothing

Thank you so much to all of my last-minute ANGELS!  I appreciate your help.

The next donation to The University of Iowa is just around the corner on 11/1/2005.  We also have a donation of pumpkin hats and booties to be made just before the 11/1 donation.  Keep up the great work!  I am so impressed with what this group has accomplished in such a short time.  It seems like this project was just getting started just yesterday.  I am so blessed to have such wonderful volunteers  who have made this project a reality.  With their help I am able to  envision great things in the coming months.  Thank you to all of the volunteers!

Please remember that no donation is ever too small.  Every little bit counts and helps tremendously.  If you would like to become a volunteer for The Preemie Project please contact me by email:

laura-akerATthepreemieprojectDOTcom

Great job everyone.  Keep those needles clickin'!

Laura Aker

Founder and Iowa Chapter Coordinator

The Preemie Project

"Booties, Bonnets and Blankets for Premature Babies"

Event: Iowa Chapter Launch Party

The Iowa Chapter of The Preemie Project had their first chapter meeting on Sunday 8/28/2005.  It was a lot of fun!  I invited all of the volunteers from Iowa over to my house for donation organizing and good company.  It was great to finally meet some of the volunteers face to face! 

Most of the volunteers who lived close enough were in attendance. 

-Libby of Coralville

-Lin of Iowa City

-MJ of Cedar Rapids

-Debbie of Iowa City

-Megan of Iowa City

Once they arrived I put them to work!  There was a ton of donation organizing to be done.  Look at all of those hat, booties and bereavement items!  (Pictured: Lin of Iowa City, IA.) 

Here is another view of the donations the volunteers had to plow through: (pictured: Libby of Coralville, IA.)

I think that the volunteers really enjoyed being able to see all of the cute little items up close.  We ohhed and ahhed over everything!  They were also very impressed with how much had been sent in.  The whole group of volunteers, who reside across the country, did such a fantastic job.  The group really pulled through for the little ones.  In fact, the pile of donations pictured above doesn't even include the blankets that were sent in.  WOW! 

There was so much stuff to get through that we didn't have time for much else.  I didn't get as many pictures taken as I wanted to.

Here are Debbie and Libby sorting and labeling donations:

In all the craziness of sorting I was only able to get pictures of Debbie, Lin and Libby.  I am so sorry Megan and MJ!  I promise that I'll catch you two next time.

Once most of the organizing was finished everyone sat down for some snacks.  My mom, Linda, took advantage of that time and received a lesson on knitting in the round with two circulars from Lin:

Lin- Linda has been hard at work on that pumpkin hat and I think she even finished it last night.  Now I'll have to have her teach me!  Thanks Lin!

All in all I think that it was a very productive meeting.  Here is what we ended up with:

Everything is all organized and ready to go!  Plus there is a laundry basket full of miscellaneous hats and booties in the other room.  We matched up as many as we could and the rest will be saved for the next time around. 

We even ended up almost hitting our goals.  We still have a HUGE need for the large receiving blankets! We need 25 more just to hit our goal for this donation.  Any donations of blankets and blanket sewing supplies, like fleece, flannel and Wrights Satin Binding, are greatly appreciated.

Thank you to my mom, Linda Aker, for doing all of the work to make this get together possible.  I don't know what I woudl do without you!  Without her I never would have been able to hold this meeting or even start The Preemie Project at all.  Mom, I am SO grateful for everything that you have done for me and The Preemie Project.  Thank you!

Finally I realized after the party that I hadn't taken a picture of myself with anyone either.  So I found someone to take a picture with:

That is me with my brand new preemie doll.  Cindy, of CA, sent me the handmade preemie doll last week.  Isn't she neat?  I haven't named her yet and I'm taking any suggestions.  She was our model for the 3-5lb baby items.  Thank you so much Cindy!  I will cherish her.

Thank you to all of the volunteers who were able to make it.  It was a wonderful little group!  It was so nice to finally meet you all.  I hope to meet more of you the next time around.  We decided on monthly chapter meetings.  I don't have a date for the next one yet, but I will soon.  Stay Tuned...