A distance of more than 300 miles didn’t stop a proud grandmother from spreading love to newborns at UT Health Tyler.
Nancy Savinelli said her own six grandchildren serve as her inspiration for making the crocheted baby blankets she donates to different baby organizations, including the UT Health Tyler Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
“Children are such blessings,” Savinelli said. “I feel it is rewarding to give my blankets to others and it warms my heart.”
Savinelli, who with her husband of 38 years, Peter, retired from IBM to the Texas Hill Country and now lives in Kerrville, said she has been crocheting for many years because of the relaxation it provides. When the pandemic hit, she started crocheting baby blankets, even ordering yarn delivered to her home during the lockdown. Each baby blanket takes about a day to complete, she said.
“I’d like to think each one is crocheted with love, for the baby who receives it,” Savinelli said.
UT Health Tyler NICU Manager Jordan January said she was touched by the heartfelt donation from halfway across the state.
“Donations like these can be helpful for our families and babies here at the NICU because it just provides them an extra layer of comfort,” January said. “When they’re going through these stressful times, it can be so uplifting just knowing that not only is everybody in the hospital caring for them and thinking of them, but also that people in the community at large are sending love and support.”