She’s baaaack! We just love this kid!
Last May, we introduced you to an adorable and generous little girl – Alannah Pionessa. She had a very special request for her 8th birthday. No, not a barbie doll. Not a new dress or craft. Nope. In fact, what she wanted – wasn’t even for her! She wanted to give back.
Alannah told her mom she wanted some blankets and books to give out to babies in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) at Oishei Children’s Hospital.
Yep. Super sweet kid.
There is a backstory here. Turns out Alannah spent months in that very unit when she was born nine weeks early. She spent 80 days there.
And it turns out, there’s a reason she’s asking for books and blankets. But, I am going to let Alannah explain that to you.
She wrote a letter that she wanted me to pass on. Maybe you can help her? Maybe you’ll understand why something like this would be good for those babies. Their parents. And for Alannah.
Here’s her letter. Her words. Her hope.
Hello to my WNY community,
My name is Alannah Jane Pionessa and I will be 9 on June 8, 2018. Last year my mom asked me what I wanted for my birthday and I told her that I wanted to give every baby born in June in the NICU at Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo a brand new soft snuggle blanket, and a brand new story book. This year I wanted to do it again! You see, on June 8, 2009 I was born at Children’s Hospital, 9 weeks early with a rare birth defect that effects many of my internal organs. I spent 11.5 weeks in the NICU before I came home to join my family. I was so sick with many tubes and wires that my parents and grandparents could not hold me until I was a month old. All they could do for me was read to me because even touching my hands or head made me very upset. My mom read to me every one of the 80 days I was in the NICU. I also could not wear any clothes for the first few weeks until all my tubes came out, but the hospital blankets were scratchy and I didn’t like the feel of them. My parents were able to bring in some nice soft blankets that my nurses laid me on top of and wrapped me in to make me comfortable which made me relaxed so I could grow and get healthy. I want to help the babies and parents in the NICU because the NICU holds a special place in my family’s heart and they helped me get healthy. I want to bring smiles to the mommies and daddies faces because my mom tells me that sometimes the NICU can be a sad place for parents. Last year my mom said we could definitely help out the babies, but we were going to need some help if I was going to give every baby a book and a blanket. I set my goal of 70 brand new soft snuggle blankets and 70 brand new Children’s Books, and the Alden, and WNY communities helped me reach my goal and then some! I was able to donate 165 blankets and books to the babies in the NICU, and 25 Blankets and Books to the babies in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). I even got to personally deliver a blanket and book to a baby girl and a baby boy in the NICU. It was neat to see where I use to sleep and to see the babies that were so tiny just like I was. I even got to meet one of the moms and she was very thankful for the gift for her little boy. Some of the nurses messaged my mom to tell us how thankful the parents were and they told us that I inspired them! I couldn’t believe that I could inspire adults!!! This year I would like to collect 100 new snuggle blankets and 100 new books for the NICU babies in the new John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital. So I am asking my family, friends and my community to help me reach my goal to give a brand new book and a brand new soft blanket to every NICU baby born in my birth month of June. . I am collecting donations of new blankets, new children’s books or if you don’t want to shop, money donations and gift cards that I can go out and shop with my mom for blankets and books from May 1, 2018 to June 8, 2018. If you have any questions you can email my mom, Heather Rust at Hmrust26@gmail.com. My goal is to deliver the books and blankets as close to my June 8th birthday as I can. Thank you so much for you generous donations!
Love, Alannah Jane Pionessa
I know… hard to say no to that, right!? 🙂
Last year was a huge success with 165 books and blankets collected!!! Lets do it again!!!!!!!!!!
DONATIONS CAN BE DROPPED OFF AT:
Paulter Chiropractic and Wellness at 13305 Broadway St, Alden. Hours are Monday 1 to 7 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., and Friday 10 a.m.- 3 p.m..
The Alden Advertiser at 13200 Broadway St. Alden. Hours are M, T, Th, F from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., W 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
DENT Neurological Institute – Dr. Jennifer McVige’s offices in Orchard Park (200 Sterling Drive) and Amherst (3980 Sheridan Drive).
Rolly Pollies of East Amherst – 9630 Transit Road, East Amherst
Rolly Pollies of Orchard Park – 4058 North Buffalo Road, Orchard Park
Rolly Pollies of North Buffalo – 1669 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo
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