Holy Redeemer Purple Caps Programs

SWAINTON – The conference room at Holy Redeemer Health Care headquarters in Swainton was awash in purple on Nov. 12. There were purple skirts and purple blouses, purple sweaters and, most importantly, tiny purple knit caps for infants. The women wearing all this purple were members and supporters of Healthy Families at Holy Redeemer’s Period of Purple Crying Prevention Program.
“Period of purple crying” is a phrase used to describe the time in a baby’s life when she cries more than any other. This period of purple crying begins at about two weeks of age and continues until she is about three or four months old. The word purple is an acronym. The letters stand for: Peak of crying; Unexpected; Resists soothing; Pain-like face; Long lasting; Evening. It is sometimes called colic.
All babies go through this period. It is during this time that some babies can cry a lot and some far less, but they all go through it.
Peggy Smith, the program director, describes this period as one of potential danger for the infant. New parents or caregivers, often tired, may become frustrated and resort to shaking their baby. This can seriously injure or even kill an infant. It is known as shaken baby syndrome. Holy Redeemer’s Period of Purple Program is an effort to educate parents on ways to deal with a bawling baby without having to resort to shaking her. Marie Nugent, also with the program explained that each mother is given a beautiful hand knitted baby cap and a DVD which offers parents tools to help soothe their screaming infant.
Volunteer knitters crafted 106 tiny caps. They belonged to organizations from both Cape May and Atlantic County. Hugs and Stitches is a group of 30 women knitters over 55-years-old. Jean Stolle was there to represent them. Hugs and Stitches also make Afghans, shawls, scarves and blankets. They have just finished a quilting project for local soldiers. The quilts and Afghans were all done in red, white and blue. Regina McDevitt of the Christ Child Society was there as well. The group meets once a week to work on projects such as the purple knit baby caps. Caring For Kids received 25 of the purple caps for their clients.
The board meeting/luncheon included an impressive array of women from other agencies and organizations such as Mary Lou Rochford of Rutgers Co-op Extension. She directs the Nutrition for Toddlers program. Rochford was particularly moved by the tiny purple hats. She just became a grandmother to baby girl Autumn Rose. Sue Keen of the Avalon Lions was also in attendance to acknowledge the gratitude of Smith and the Holy Redeemer Food Pantry for the sizeable donation made by Avalon Lions. She came with a box full of designer Teddy Bears that she hopes to raffle off to support the charity. The bears were donated by Loretta Vogl of Atlantic City. She reported that they had 37 sponsors for their Adopt a Family Christmas project. She also noted the Prayers and Squares sewing group that knits hats for older kids. “It’s knitting and praying,” she said.
Anyone interested in either program can contact her at 335-3739.
Stefanie DiTeodoro, a young mom, had her hands full with ten-month-old Ramona who made her presence known loud and clear. DiTeodoro praised the work of Smith, Marie Nugent, Lynne Moore and all of the Healthy Families workers at Holy Redeemer. New Mom Heather Suthard cradled her 11-day-old daughter Aaliyah and nodded her agreement. Desiree Lyston holding six month old Savanna also had nothing but good things to say about the staff and Healthy Families program. “We want Moms here,” said Smith. “They are the reason we are here at Holy Redeemer.”
The Food Pantry located at Holy Redeemer has been very busy. In October it served 500 families, who came to their door–that’s more than 1,500 individuals. Donations are always welcome and can be brought to 1801 Route 9 N. in Swanton.
The joy and community spirit filling the room at Holy Redeemer was proof positive that the maxim, “It is better to give than to receive” is true, alive and well in Cape May County.
To contact Helen McCaffrey, email hmccaffrey@cmcherald.com.