Gifts of Warmth

Baby Blanket Day at St. Joseph Medical Center is a community project, a day set aside to sew receiving blankets to give to every baby born at St. Joe's. In 2009, St. Joe's delivered 141 babies and each one received a new, lovingly-sewn blanket.

Local sewing and quilt clubs and talented individuals bring their sewing machines, sergers, cutting mats and rotary cutters, iron and ironing board or just themselves to volunteer their time and come together to sew mountains of flannel. Last year this amazing group transformed that flannel into 195 receiving blankets in 3 1/2 hours.

The need for these blankets is great. Many of these went to mothers who were uninsured or under-insured. Of our 141 babies, 33% of the mothers delivering were Medicaid and 10% were granted full or partial Charity Care. For the 6th year in a row, Baby Blanket Day allows babies to be sent home in a colorful, warm and well made coverlet.

Just what the doctor ordered.

“Our stay at St. Joseph’s Medical Center was lovely and memorable. It was the friendly, helpful, and comfortable atmosphere that made our stay so important. The staff provided our child with the necessities which would in the near future assist us in so many ways, which shows us
St. Joe’s cares. We give our thanks and appreciation to the staff at St. Joseph’s.”
— New parents