| In preparation for National Prematurity Awareness Month in November, the March of Dimes is requesting individuals and groups in the communities of Vermont to donate handmade or purchased preemie-sized and newborn clothing to be distributed to families with a critically ill baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Sew, knit or crochet some preemie-sized or newborn baby clothing. Many patterns can be found on the Internet. If you don't stitch, but want to participate you may purchase and donate preemie-sized clothing. Most baby stores and department stores carry a line of preemie clothing. Donations towards the purchase of a preemie outfit will be gladly accepted as well.
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Organize a local sewing group to meet periodically for fun and work. This can be an already existing group, or you can enlist neighbors, friends, co-workers and family.
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Plan to attend the Prematurity Awareness Kick-off Family Breakfast and Event in Burlington on October 24th, 9-11am, at the Double Tree Hotel in So. Burlington. Watch for more information.
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During November, Prematurity Awareness Month, join mothers, fathers, aunts and uncles, grandparents and family friends in helping us place 60+ local collection baskets and posters in your community. Display in a local public area, such as a church, mall, library, school, daycare, or workplace. Invite your friends, neighbors and co-workers to make or donate an outfit.
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Be sure to mail or deliver all clothing and donations to the March of Dimes office by December 4th or bring to the Fletcher Allen NICU in Burlington.
Since 2006 the Vermont Chapter has collected and distributed nearly 3,000 items. Our goal is to collect 600 outfits by the end of November 2009! Prematurity Awareness Month®. Each year, there are approximately 600 babies in Vermont born too soon and too small.
RESOURCE LIST
Websites with free patterns in sewing, knitting and crocheting formats.
http://www.touchinglittlelives.org/
http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/baby.html
http://www.newbornsinneed.org/html/baby_patterns.html
http://www.carewear.org/index.cfm?pid=patterns/_patterns.cfm
SIZE CHART
http://www.touchinglittlelives.org/size.html
ON-LINE SOURCES OF PREEMIE CLOTHES
Here are a few websites to look at (there are probably many more!)
http://www.nurtureplace.com/
http://www.preemietees.com/
http://www.preemie.com/
LOCAL STORES CARRYING PREEMIE ITEMS
We have found that more and more local stores are carrying preemie items. Here are just a few that we’ve come across: Zutano, Walmart, Carters Outlet, Gymboree.
For more Information Contact:
Michelle Wallace
March of Dimes Vermont Chapter
107 North Main St; 3rd Floor
Barre, VT 05641
(802) 479-3265 x11
mwallace@marchofdimes.com
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