ALPENA — The Kiwanis Club of Alpena just completed its second annual Kiwanis Kwilting for Kids program resulting in a contribution of 125 baby quilts to Preemie Pals in Saline, Michigan. The donation of these quilts is part of the Kiwanis International Young Children Priority One Project, which addresses the needs of children prenatal to age 5.

Preemie Pals donates quilts for Ann Arbor’s University of Michigan Brandon Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) located at Mott Hospital. The Brandon NICU is a Level IV care center for all levels of acute care. Babies are flown to Mott Hospital from all over Michigan and neighboring states. The Brandon NICU treats over 1,200 neonatal babies per year, thus they can use 1,200 quilts per year.

In 2019, Preemie Pals donated over 750 quilts to Mott Hospital. Kiwanis Clubs of Michigan supplied 350 of those quilts and the Kiwanis Club of Alpena donated over 100 of those 350! The quilts are usually 100% cotton, are approximately 36 x 42 inches in size and are used to cover the isolettes for premature babies (see picture). The quilts are all washed in very high temperature water before being used to ensure safety. The quilts help control humidity, light, temperature, and sound … surrounding the babies in comfort. The baby (and family) takes his or her quilt home with them. For more information about Preemie Pals and pictures of the quilts donated go to https://www.facebook.com/Preemie-Pals-282084432198203.

The Kiwanis Club of Alpena’s new project year for collecting these quilts is underway from October 2020 to October 2021, so Kwilters can donate quilts now and throughout the coming year. Kwilters can make basic block quilts, or any pattern of their choice. If Kwilters do not have fabric, backing material, or batting, Kiwanis Kwilting for Kids program will provide any or all of these items to you, as needed. The Kiwanis Club of Alpena’s goal is to provide a minimum of 100 quilts to Preemie Pals for the 2020-2021 year.

If you or your quilt group would like to help and be part of Kiwanis Club of Alpena Kwilting for Kids project, contact Ginny Roland at 512-718-9592 or email: ginnyroland@gmail.com.