Volunteers Provide HUGs Pillows and Baby Bundles

Enthusiastic volunteers from Assistance League of Northern Virginia (ALNV) gathered recently to assemble Hugs Pillows and Baby Bundles for local children.

Hugs -- heart-shaped pillows in bright, child-friendly fabric -- feature a front pocket filled with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and two children’s books to promote a healthy bedtime ritual of brushing teeth and reading a story before going to sleep.

Baby Bundles include a hand-made baby blanket and matching hat, one or two onesies, a bib, burp cloth, and socks, along with a board book and educational materials on SIDS prevention, parenting, and developmental milestones.

ALNV members packaged and delivered 365 Hugs pillows and 50 Baby Bundles. The Hugs packages went to Cora Kelly, Pine Spring, Yorkshire and Loch Lomond elementary schools, while the 50 Baby Bundles went to students enrolled in “Project Opportunity” at two alternative high schools. The Hugs pillows were sewn and assembled by volunteers at Dunbarton Community in Bristow, and the Baby Bundle baby blankets and hats were made by volunteers from Dunbarton Community and crafters from Nativity Catholic Church in Burke.

ALNV also packaged 18 larger afghan blankets with matching hats to be given to children in area Head Start programs.

Assistance League of Northern Virginia, along with community volunteers, relies on grants, donations and fundraisers to support their programs helping meet the basic needs of children in the low-income schools they serve. You can find out more about ALNV and their programs at: www.alnv.org