A Gift for the Holidays

Enloe Welcomes ‘Christmas Babies’ in Stockings

A newborn baby is one of life’s most precious gifts. To celebrate the arrival of babies born on or around Christmas Day, staff members from Enloe Health’s Nettleton Mother & Baby Care Center lovingly wrap these little ones inside red flannel stockings and present them to their families.

This annual tradition began 25 years ago when longtime Enloe Health volunteer Marjorie “Marge” Chapman made holiday stockings from fabric scraps leftover from sewing red flannel heart pillows for cardiac patients.

The heart pillows were going to be discontinued, so Chapman and two others sourced low-cost fabric and took on the heart pillow project themselves. The stockings became a loving extension of her efforts. Since then, nearly 400 keepsake stockings have been gifted to local babies and their families.

“It’s such a joy for our staff to see the families’ faces light up when these babies are wheeled into their room in their stockings,” said Nancy Gagon, Director of Mother & Baby Services at Enloe Health. She estimates that about 15 babies are born annually between Dec. 23 and Dec. 25, when the stockings are given out. Families also receive matching red and white hats and booties lovingly sewn by volunteers.

Crafted With Care

Five years ago, Chapman passed the stocking tradition to her friend Marion Compton. The 87-year-old Compton now shepherds a group of six women known as the Enloe Handcrafters in making the holiday stockings, as well as blankets, heart and neck pillows, and stuffed animals for Enloe Health patients.

The group members are in their golden years. The oldest member is 99. They all have experience sewing, crocheting and knitting, and they welcome others who’d like to share their talents with the group. Local organizations and individuals also help create these handmade items.

“There’s nothing but smiles and good cheer for the holidays when we see these Christmas newborns,” said Mary Godinez-York, Director of Enloe Health’s Volunteer Services. “The stockings are so well-received by everyone, and the babies couldn’t be cuter.”

Along with making the stockings, volunteers also greet and guide patients and guests at the hospital and the Enloe Health Regional Cancer Center, they assist with administrative duties, and they work in the Enloe Health Gift Shop.

“We have more than 200 volunteers who provide so many services to our community,” Godinez-York said.

Gagon expresses gratitude for the handcrafter group. “I’ve watched them make these items for more than 20 years, and it’s such a sweet, thoughtful offering during the holidays,” she said. “They provide a blessing to these families who are very busy with their newborns.” 

To learn more about the Enloe Handcrafters, call Enloe Health Volunteer Services at 530-332-4575.