ABOYNE – Babies born at Groves Memorial Community Hospital will go home with a special, commemorative onesie thanks to a generous donation from Bill and Cheryl Rowe.
The new program came into effect on Aug. 21.
Last year 513 babies were born at the hospital and the hospital’s foundation was trying to come up with a way to commemorate those births.
“Long-time foundation major donors, Bill and Cheryl Rowe and family stepped up right away and offered to sponsor the program, committing to a pledge to cover the costs of the onesies for the next six years,” said executive director Lori Arsenault in a press release.
“This allows us to offer this welcome present to new families, without a big cost to our foundation. We are so thankful for the Rowe family’s continued support of GMCH over the past 21 years.”
Cheryl is a long-time Foundation board member. She completed a nine-year term in June 2022 and this June, after a year off, she re-joined for a second time.
Two of Bill and Cheryl’s three daughters were born at the old Groves, and all three have now started having their own babies.
“The birth of a child is such a huge moment for every family and by giving them a Groves Baby onesie, we will create a tangible keepsake, something they can keep forever as a fond reminder,” the Rowes said.
“We are so proud to have the privilege of a state-of-the art new hospital here in Centre Wellington, in which these families can have their babies right where they live.
Groves has always been near and dear to our hearts and we are so proud to be part of this new initiative for the future.”
The inaugural Groves Baby onesie was presented to Rowe family friends, Tye and Masha McGinn upon the birth of their son Wyatt.
Each Groves Baby onesie will come with a diaper pin and an information card.
It thanks the sponsors, gives the family details on how to share their Groves Baby photos, and features a dedicated QR code in case families wish to make a donation to honour the birth of their child, or in recognition of exceptional patient care received at GMCH.
The Foundation looks forward to sharing many more Groves Baby photos featuring the onesies sponsored by Bill and Cheryl Rowe and Family in the future!
