Tiny Fans Create a Big Stir

On February 1st, the Thursday before the Super Bowl, the Holy Redeemer Maternity Unit, was popping with Philadelphia Eagles pride. Babies donned their custom hats. Nurses flaunted their favorite Eagles gear. And pennants reminded visitors of last year’s champs. All in celebration of the Eagles’ tinniest fans.

Busy hands. Happy hearts

Thanks to the creative energies of Marie Milcarsky and Dorothy “Dot” McHale no head was ignored. Because every baby in the NICU and Maternity Unit received a special handmade Eagles hat to wear for the big game.

Marie, a housekeeper with Holy Redeemer Hospital, has crocheted miles of yarn in her time. Making baby hats for the past seven years, she’s hooked creations for every occasion. Even an impressive white crown for the first baby born in 2018. Meanwhile fellow maker Dot, an 80-year-old retired resident of Maple Shade, NJ, thought it would be fun to make red baby hats to honor February’s heart month theme. But she didn’t stop there. After watching tutorials on YouTube, she got the idea to make the babies green football hats in honor of the Super Bowl.

Yarn: the healer

Dot, accompanied by her daughter, Maureen, a Redeemer Health employee, attended our Tiniest Fans Pep Rally and hand delivered her precious hats to the tiniest fans. Clearly Dot and Marie know they like to crochet. But what they may not know is that several health authorities agree about handicraft. It’s believed that using knitting or crochet as meditation can be a daily way to minimize the effects of stress in your life. Which ultimately can help reduce heart disease.

Hooking or knitting is also a great way to build a community and reduce depression and isolation. So maybe it’s time for us all to consult YouTube and start making.

Game on

The Tiniest Fans Pep Rally gathered over 40 Eagles fans ready to cheer on the Birds in the big game. Staff, employees, proud parents and picturesque hat- wearing babies all showed up. The tiny pep rally also drew attention from local news outlets including Fox29, 6ABC, NBC10, CBS3, and the Bucks County Courier Times.