Help Brighten the Lives of Children in Poverty

When a retired nurse and expert seamstress met with the chief of pediatrics at the San Ramon hospital to see if she could be of assistance to their program, she learned some surprising and sobering information. Of the approximately 100 babies born in the hospital each month from the greater San Ramon area, approximately 20 % were from significantly impoverished moms or families who were struggling with the basic necessities of life. Consequently, routine items for newborn care like blankets or diapers which are often purchased or received as gifts were non-existent for these babies. Being a doer and an organizer, the nurse contacted CAA members and friends for their help, and in quick order, Blankets for Babies was born!

For the past 5 years, once a month, a group of talented and committed volunteers gather to produce the items that are part of a Newborn Welcome Bundle. And each month 20 welcome bundles are delivered to the hospital’s Maternity Department. A bundle, which costs about $25 to produce, consists of a plastic changing pad (many houses have dirt floors), a blanket, 5 burping cloths, two rubber pants and 5 washable cloth diaper inserts, 2 onesies, and a soft toy. Recently at the request of the Maternity Department, we have added a carrying sling for moms to hold babies, particularly premature ones, close to them for connection and comfort. With the exception of the slings which are a recent addition, over the past 5 years this group’s effort has produced the following: 1060 changing pads, 1060 blankets, 1060 toys, 960 crocheted hats, 360 masks for moms during Covid, 5300 burping cloths, 200 rubber pants, and 500 diaper inserts! Truly a remarkable accomplishment!

Many of the volunteers donate fabric for the blankets and burping cloths they have on hand or go to Ropa American (Costa Rica's Goodwill) to hunt for useable fabric in their sale bins. The fabric needed for the changing pads, rubber pants, diaper inserts and carrying slings, however, is more specialized and must be purchased. In the case of the rubber pants, one of the fabric components needed is not readily available in Costa Rica and must be shipped here or “muled in” by returning volunteers or their willing friends who are coming to Costa Rica to visit. Not only does much credit go to the Blankets for Babies crew for their talent and commitment for producing these important items but also for their creativity and ingenuity for getting the job done in the most cost-effective way!

Obviously both the moms who receive these Newborn Welcome Bundles and the hospital staff who shares them are most grateful for these gifts. As the Maternity Department’s physician director offered , “We are extremely grateful for the support and commitment of these “Blanket for Babies” angels. We can’t thank them enough for their continued gifts and assistance to our most challenged moms and babies.”

And to all of those of you who have contributed financially or otherwise to our effort to brighten the lives of children in poverty, we thank you for your generosity. Together we can continue to make a difference in the lives of those in need in the community around us.