Denver Healths Hello Little One Program A Comprehensive Guide To Newborn Essentials For Families

For over two decades, a dedicated program at Denver Health has been providing essential supplies to new families, functioning as a critical resource for parents in need. The Hello, Little One program (also known as Newborns in Need) offers "warm welcome" bags filled with newborn necessities to families delivering babies at Denver Health. This initiative is entirely donor-funded and volunteer-supported, ensuring that every infant receives a foundational set of items to start life, regardless of their family's financial circumstances. The program's evolution from a small, targeted effort to a comprehensive service for all Denver Health births highlights its significant role in community support and maternal and infant health.

The Hello, Little One program, established in 2003, has provided over 60,000 babies with essential items. It is a cornerstone of Denver Health's commitment to supporting families from the very beginning of life's journey. The program distributes "Warm Welcome bags" containing a variety of carefully selected items. Each bag is assembled by community volunteers and includes diapers and wipes, baby shampoo and body wash, baby lotion, warming and receiving blankets, a bib and a burp cloth, a sleepsack, a book and a stuffed animal, an outfit, a hat, and two pairs of socks. Additionally, parents receive a special, high-value item such as a pair of shoes or a hand-made sweater, along with informational brochures in English and Spanish from organizations like Denver Public Library, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, College Invest, Denver Water, and Cribs for Kids on Safe Sleep.

The program's origins are rooted in a community-driven vision. Jean Galloway, founder of Galloway Group and Prosono, first conceptualized the idea of local women throwing baby showers and delivering care packages to new parents at Denver Health. Her husband, Dr. Ben Galloway, was a physician at Denver Health, and Jean volunteered at the hospital and served as a consultant to Denver Health Foundation. She, along with former Denver Health Foundation Executive Director Paula Herzmark, Foundation board members, former Denver Health CEO Dr. Patty Gabow, and others, reached out to their personal and professional contacts to build support. The initiative gained rapid traction, with Dr. Sharon Langendoerfer, then head of Denver Health’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), playing a crucial role. The first recipients were incarcerated women and women experiencing homelessness in the NICU who had no means of providing material necessities for their newborns. Initially, gift baskets with basic items like disposable diapers, a onesie, and receiving blankets were provided to those patients most in need. The program gradually expanded and evolved into the current welcome bag given to every parent who delivers a baby at Denver Health.

The program's success relies heavily on community involvement. Volunteers from all walks of life assemble the welcome bags in a dedicated space on Denver Health’s downtown campus. Assembly sessions last about two hours and are held several times each week, with an average of 50 volunteers per week. Participants include students from public and private schools, local news personalities, employees from various companies, members of religious and fraternal organizations, local charity groups, scout troops, and Denver Health employees themselves. A long-standing supporter shared a personal connection: a volunteer from Canvas Credit Union noted that her mother, herself, and her daughter were all born at Denver Health, spanning three generations of the family.

In addition to assembly volunteers, the program receives donations of hand-made items from local knitting, sewing, crocheting, and quilting groups. Organizations such as Project Linus, Warm Hearts–Warm Baby, and Koelbel Library Knitters have been longstanding supporters. The program also accepts donations of specific items. According to the official Hello, Little One donation page, the most needed items are warm blankets (24" x 36"), receiving blankets, sleepers and onesies (3-month size), and socks and mittens. To schedule a donation drop-off, individuals can contact Volunteer Services at 303-602-2926 or [email protected]. Donations are generally accepted Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the possibility of special arrangements.

For those interested in volunteering directly with the Hello, Little One program, more information is available by emailing [email protected] or calling 303-602-2926. The program is a clear example of a community-supported initiative that provides free essential baby items to families in need within a specific geographic and institutional context (Denver Health births). It operates as a donor-funded and volunteer-run model, distinct from commercial free sample programs.

Beyond the welcome bags, Denver Health provides additional support for families with greater needs. Social workers assist parents in attaining items such as car seats, strollers, cribs, and pack ’n’ plays. Furthermore, Denver Health offers a range of other child and parent-focused initiatives, including the Denver Health Doula Program (DHDP) for equitable care during labor and birth, integrated perinatal and infant mental health services, and the Reach Out and Read program, which encourages families to read aloud together.

Eligibility and Access

The Hello, Little One program is designed for parents of babies born at Denver Health. The program's reach is significant, as over half of all babies born in Denver take their first breath at Denver Health, and nearly 90% of these families face financial hardship. The welcome bags are provided to every parent who delivers a baby at Denver Health, making it a universal offering within that specific hospital system. There is no indication of a separate application process for the welcome bags; they are distributed as a standard part of the birthing experience at Denver Health. For families needing larger items like car seats or cribs, Denver Health social workers are the point of contact for assistance.

Program Evolution and Community Impact

The program's evolution from its initial focus on the most vulnerable populations to a universal offering underscores its deep integration into Denver Health's community care model. The support for the program has grown over the past two decades, involving a wide array of community figures and organizations. Early supporters included former Colorado First Lady Frances Owens, who helped initiate male-inclusive counterpart events that underwrote the cost of car seats. Other community figures such as Pam Crowe, Peggy Shanahan, and Sharon Magness Blake, who offered her home for the first Newborns in Need baby shower, were also instrumental.

The program's impact is measured not just in the number of bags distributed (over 60,000 since 2003) but in the breadth of items provided. The contents have evolved to include a mix of practical necessities (diapers, wipes, clothing), comfort items (blankets, sleepsacks, stuffed animals), educational resources (books, informational brochures), and even a special high-value item. This comprehensive approach aims to address both immediate physical needs and longer-term developmental support.

The informational brochures included in the bags connect families to further community resources. For example, brochures from Denver Public Library and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library promote early literacy, while materials from College Invest offer information on educational savings. Denver Water provides health and safety information, and Cribs for Kids focuses on safe sleep practices. This integration of resources demonstrates a holistic view of family support.

Comparison with Broader Free Sample and Offer Landscape

While the Hello, Little One program is a localized, institutional program, it shares characteristics with the broader landscape of free samples and offers in the baby care category. Like many brand-run free sample programs, it provides product samples (diapers, wipes, shampoo, lotion) and full-size items (blankets, clothing). However, it differs in key ways. Most commercial free samples are available to any consumer who meets specific criteria (e.g., signing up online, being a member of a loyalty program) and are often distributed by mail. In contrast, Hello, Little One is tied to a specific event (a birth at Denver Health) and is distributed in person at the hospital. Its funding is entirely from donations and grants, not from product manufacturers seeking to promote their brands, although the items in the bags may be donated by manufacturers or purchased with donated funds.

The program also resembles community-based assistance programs that provide free baby supplies to low-income families, such as those listed in local resource guides. For instance, other organizations in the Denver area, like Marisol Family, Catholic Charities’ Little Flower Assistance Center, Comitis Crisis Center, and Metro Caring, provide diapers, wipes, formula, and other baby items. However, these are typically ongoing assistance programs for families who self-identify as needing help, whereas Hello, Little One is an automatic provision for a specific cohort (Denver Health births).

How to Access Support

For families giving birth at Denver Health, the Hello, Little One welcome bag is provided automatically. No separate sign-up or application is required for the standard bag. For families with greater needs, Denver Health social workers are available to assist with obtaining larger items like car seats, strollers, cribs, and pack ’n’ plays. The process for accessing this additional support would involve speaking with a social worker at Denver Health, likely during the prenatal or postpartum period.

For community members wishing to support the program, there are two primary avenues: volunteering and donating items. Volunteers assist in assembling the welcome bags, and donations of specific new items are accepted. The contact information for these activities is provided directly on the official Denver Health Hello, Little One page.

Conclusion

The Denver Health Hello, Little One program represents a sustained, community-driven effort to provide essential newborn supplies to families. It is a well-established program that has grown over 20 years, supported by a vast network of volunteers and donors. The program's structure—providing a comprehensive welcome bag to every parent delivering at Denver Health—ensures a consistent and dignified level of support for new families, particularly given the high percentage of families facing financial hardship. While it is not a nationwide free sample program accessible to the general public, it serves as a model for how healthcare institutions can partner with their communities to address basic needs at a critical life stage. For eligible families, it is a valuable source of free baby essentials, from diapers and clothing to educational resources and safety information.

Sources

1. Denver Health Foundation - Newborns in Need Celebrates 20 Years
2. Care Project Denver - Essential Items
3. Denver Health - Hello, Little One