Central Coast hospital’s tiniest babies get a Halloween gift – pumpkin hats and costumes
The babies in the Marian Regional Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit got into the Halloween spirit a little early this year, with help from a longtime hospital volunteer.
Candy Martin, who has volunteered with the Santa Maria hospital’s labor and delivery departments for 23 years, hand-crocheted tiny little Halloween costumes and clothing for the newborns in the ward this year. Martin made 10 pumpkin caps and two batman costumes by hand as a way to spread joy throughout the hospital, according to a hospital news release.
“Marian has been such a special part of my life. I love to crochet and I love the staff, so I wanted to do something that would encourage them and provide a spark of happiness,” Martin said. “I know these past couple of years have been especially trying for them, so if this brings them some happiness, it’s a success.”
The NICU normally celebrates Halloween with a special reunion of the babies and children who were once cared for in the ward, as well as their families and hospital workers.
This year’s event was canceled due to COVID-19 safety concerns, however, which in part prompted Martin’s decision to spread the Halloween spirit in a different way.
“This very kind gesture brought joy to the parents of NICU infants, as well as the staff,” NICU Director Chris Jacowchik said in the release. “Without our annual celebration, where staff and graduates come together, this allowed us the opportunity to spread some cheer among the unit, which was beneficial to everyone after such a difficult year.”
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