PC students begin diaper collection for NICU

Showing kindness often creates a ripple effect through those who receive it. Such is the story for Daniel, Heather and Eli Taylor.

Daniel, a teacher at Phil Campbell High School, and his wife Heather recently adopted baby Eli, who was born prematurely. Eli was born Dec. 11, 2018, and had to spend a total of 63 days in the newborn intensive care unit at Huntsville Hospital. During Christmas time, the Taylors received a gift basket at the hospital from a group called Project Sweet Peas, a non-profit organization that helps families staying in NICU or who have lost their babies.

“It was items you wouldn’t normally think of needing during a time like that,” Daniel said. “I was really touched by them.”

Daniel is the sponsor of the Junior National Honor Society at PCHS, so he spoke with National Honor Society sponsor Amy Moss about ways to give back to the organization and other NICU families. He also spoke with the hospital about what was needed and learned the hospital is hosting a baby shower for NICU families, Showers for Miracles, at the end of March. Hospital officials told Daniel their greatest need would be diapers.

“A lot of people don’t get to have baby showers when they’re in NICU,” Daniel explained.

So the Junior NHS and the NHS at PCHS teamed up to start a diaper drive, with those collected being donated to the hospital’s baby shower.

“It gives us and the students the opportunity to help out. It’s important to give back. That’s what we’re all about,” Taylor said.