Revisiting Places – Weill Cornell, Jacobi and Montefiore Hospitals
Hello friends,
It’s been a minute since we connected to share what has been going on!!!
Remember the days before the pandemic upended our lives? When we could gather freely and enjoy simple pleasures? For the NICU warriors and their families, those days felt like a distant memory. That’s why Hats and Peas continues to provide comfort, support, and a sense of normalcy during one of the most challenging times in their lives.
One of our most heartwarming experiences was our recent visit to Alexander Cohen Hospital. We donated 100 colorful octopi, each one a symbol of hope and comfort for the tiny warriors battling in the NICU. We were touched to see how the parents interacted with their babies, using the octopi as a way to bond and provide comfort.
We are glad to be back to being able to visit the NICUs and touch more lives. I have spent time looking at pictures of my family and loved ones over these past few years and how so much has changed since I brought you the last update at the beginning of 2022. Where did all that time go!! All those NICU warriors that wore those hats and cuddled the octopi are now in day school, daycare and causing a much beloved ruckus in their homes.
Together, we’ve made a significant impact on the lives of countless NICU warriors and their families. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we’ve donated over 400 hats, 40 blankets, and 350 octopi to hospitals in our community. We’re grateful for the unwavering support of our volunteers and the NICU community. Since then, Hats and Peas has continued to raise funds and obtain materials to enhance the life of NICU warriors and their families. We visited Alexander Cohen hospital four times, donating 100 octopi each time in August 2023, February 2024, July 2024 and October 2024.
We delivered 200 hats and 16 blankets in December 2022 and 18 blankets and 60 octopi in October 2024 to Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx. We donated 20 blankets and 100 hats in December 2022 and 25 blankets and 100 octopi in October 2024 to Montefiore. We visited Mercy Hospital in Rockville Center and donated 20 blankets and 100 hats to the NICU warriors.
We also added a new director to our organization: Kehinde Raji is a licensed Real Estate Salesperson in the state of New York. Prior to working in Real Estate, she was an accountant who worked with various non-profit in New York City. She obtained a Bachelors of Science in Accounting from the College at Old Westbury and a MBA in management from Long Island University. She is also a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. In her spare time she enjoys baking, gardening, and volunteering in her local community.
As we move forward, we encourage you to join us in our mission to provide comfort, hope, and a sense of normalcy to these incredible families. Your support can make a world of difference.
