Hailey’s Hope

A Project Sweet Peas Gift Bag Project Since April 2010

Our 1st Set of Gift Bags: we’re working toward a minimum of 20 and would like to have all bags ready to deliver by June 1st.

Hailey’s Hope Blogroll

Click here to read about the project’s latest news

Introduction

Hailey Marie spent the first 4 days of her life in one of the NICUs at The Children’s Hospital of Alabama. The experience of having our brand new baby living in a NICU was quite difficult and overwhelming as is, but it was also complicated by the fact that we were 5 hours away from our home. The stresses associated with this unforeseen situation could have been very overwhelming had we not had family staying with us at the nearby Ronald McDonald House and had we not had friends who were willing and able to bring us some of Hailey’s things from our house to the hospital for her. Thankfully, we also were blessed to have time and money to enable us to visit and stay with Hailey as much as possible and provide her (and us) with things that we needed.

Last but not least, I am thankful to say that while we, like any other parent, hated to have our brand new baby girl in a NICU, our experience there was a positive one. The doctors, nurses, staff, and everyone we came into contact with at the hospital were a blessing to us as they took such great care of Hailey and showed such great care and compassion to us, her parents. Two of the things that brought warmth to my heart while we were there were Hailey’s name card and her teddy bear. The NICU nurses create a beautiful, unique, personalized name card for each baby – I have Hailey’s framed. Each baby also receives at least one donated stuffed animal to help keep them company – again, we still have Hailey’s lion (picture below), and it was special to us that they did this and Hailey had a stuffed animal when we didn’t have anything for her.

They showed us so much help and support that we would like for nothing more than to return their blessing by helping and supporting their NICUs, and more importantly, the babies (and families) in them.

How We’re Giving Back: About Project Sweet Peas

Project Sweet Peas seeks to provide a little touch of comfort for parents of children in the intensive care units. This project was started by a group of parents who have one thing in common, we have all experienced what it is like having a critically ill child in the ICU. Through our experience we came together for support and comfort. Now it is our turn to give back.

The goal of Project Sweet Peas is simple: To provide gift bags that give a touch of comfort to someone in need and let them know they are not alone.

Project Sweet Peas currently consists of 14 locally run projects by parents like myself. Each project works in conjunction with a hospital or hospitals in their state. To be an active project, a minimum of 12 gift bags must be delivered a year.

If you would like to help or would like more information contact us at: info@projectsweetpeas.com or you can visit the Project Sweet Peas website for more information.

Our Project: About Hailey’s Hope

Our local project, in honor of Hailey, is named Hailey’s Hope. Hailey’s Hope gift bags will be donated to the NICUs at The Children’s Hospital of Alabama where Hailey stayed. As the creator of Hailey’s Hope, I am responsible for all aspects of my project. Project Sweet Peas is there to help me with a starter kit and works as a support group if I need help with any aspect of making my project became a success.

While the minimum number of gift bags is 12 a year, I know that with the support and generosity of others our project will be able to donate many more gift bags! I am hoping to have 15-20 gift bags (minimum) to deliver to the hospital by the first part of summer. (I should mention that the hospital has 2 level 3 NICUs each with at least 20 infant beds, and there is always a need for donations.)

How You Can Help

There are several types of gift bags that can be donated. To begin, I will be working to gather the “Basic NICU/PICU” gift bags. These are the suggested items:

• Blanket
• Disposable Camera
• Birth Record Pillow
• Lip Balm
• Hand Sanitizer
• Journals
• Pens
• Caps
• Booties
• Eye Covers
• Scratch Mittens
• Tissue Packs
• Children’s Book
• Stuffed Animal
• Picture Frames
• Hand/Foot Molds
• Baby brush/comb
• Baby clothing item (preemie)
• Travel size Toiletries

**Items MUST be NEW. The hospital cannot accept gently used items because of sanitation reasons. Do not worry about prewashing any fabric item, the NICU nurses will do this for us. You MAY handmake items as long as the fabric and materials used are brand NEW. Please place nay handmade item in a plastic ziplock bag to help keep it clean.**

You may donate items or money – whatever and however much you feel led to give.  If you don’t have the means to give, please consider praying for our project’s success and that it would be a welcomed blessing to many babies and families.

If you are interested in donating to Hailey’s Hope or have questions please send me an email at: Kristin@projectsweetpeas.com.

Or you can fill out this convenient online form called Supporting Hailey’s Hope.

You can find Hailey’s Hope page on the Project Sweet Peas’ website. If you would like to see if your state has a local Project Sweet Peas project try looking here!

I will be giving updates on the status of Hailey’s Hope either on this page of my blog or on my blogroll. I am really excited to start this project, and I can’t wait to see what God does!
Disclaimer: Project Sweet Pea & Hailey’s Hope are NOT registered non-profit organizations; all purchases and donations are NOT tax deductible. We are simply parents who have had children in the NICU, and look to provide comfort through this project.

The Inspiration Behind the Name: Hailey’s Hope

“But the eyes of the LORD are…on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.” ~ Psalm 33:18

^“I have hope… Because of the LORD’s great love…his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness…The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him…” ~ Lamentations 3: 21-25

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1

“…And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” – Romans 5:1-5

“But now, Lord, what do I look for?  My hope is in you.” Psalm 39: 7

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13