Left to right: Nancy Nevius, Brandy Walker, Debi Davis, Mary Hunter, Mary Teel, Tare Mirelez, and Peggy Orr.
Pat Henderson
The Robson Ranch Material Girls often receive requests for special projects from organizations that recognize the group’s ability to create unique items. Such was a request from Melissa East, Manager of Volunteer Services at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital. Melissa asked if we could make scent-bonding pads for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Scent-bonding pads are soft pieces of cloth used in hospitals and homes to help newborns, especially preemies in the NICU, recognize and bond with their parents’ smell. Newborns have a highly developed sense of smell and breathing in their parents’ scent reduces separation anxiety and helps soothe the baby. The scent of breast milk on the pads also encourages preemies to take in needed nutrition.
After understanding the need and the level of effort the Material Girls kicked in their ‘we got this’ attitude and went to work. Melissa asked for 75 pads and at last count the Material Girls had more than doubled that request. Thanks to all the material girls that participated in this effort and in other charity projects supported by RR Material Girls.