Gift of Life in Holiday Wrapping by Christian Shepherd - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

JULY
S M T W T F S
28 29 30 01 02 03 04
05 06 07 08 09 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31 01
View Events
Submit Events
directory

Gift of Life in Holiday Wrapping

By Christian Shepherd, Staff Writer
January 8, 2015 at 06:23pm. Views: 154

During the month of December, the Redlands Community Hospital partnered with the Redlands Sewing Center continued an 83-year-old tradition for the holiday season. Since 1930, the Linen Committee, now known as the Sewing Committee, comprised of hospital volunteers, have wrapped babies born in December in holiday stockings as they head home for the first time. “My favorite part is seeing the new families get excited to see their children go home in the stockings,” said Nikyah Pfeiffer, marketing manager of the Redlands Community Hospital. While the program has been running for over 80 years, there was a brief time that the committee saw a decline in membership and was forced to temporarily halt the program. One volunteer, Sylvia Terifay, was instrumental in restarting the program in 2005. She reached out to many different sewing and crafts organizations while trying to restart the program, but it was the Redlands Sewing Center who answered the call help revitalize the holiday tradition. “It seemed logical to utilize people in the community who like to sew,” said Terifay. “I was ecstatic when I got confirmation from the store owner. I knew Redlands Sewing Center would come through in keeping the tradition alive.” Terifay begins the work for the holiday stockings in August, when she starts collecting the fabric and materials for the stockings. The program has embedded itself throughout the community in the last 83 years. “It’s great to see the replies on social media and the people who still have their stockings from so many years ago,” said Pfeiffer. “This is a true labor of love given by all of the volunteers in the Redlands Sewing Center,” said Lauren Spilsbury, Vice President of Patient Services. “We are so grateful to them for helping us keep such a great tradition alive. The staff loves to present the parents with the stocking, and they are always extremely excited about the gift.” The program has anywhere from five to 15 volunteers annually. As of Dec. 30, there have been 224 babies born in the Redlands Community Hospital who went home in holiday wrapping. “The best part about the tradition has to be seeing all of the babies go home in their stockings,” said Terifay. “Babies are cute enough on their own; the stockings just add a little something extra.”

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group AI Generated Image

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

July 8, 2026 at 07:59am. Views: 532

California ballot drop box symbolize the upcoming municipal election and opportunities for residents to participate in local government. The election provides an opportunity for community members to help guide decisions affecting neighborhood improvements, economic development, and city services for years to come.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Anaheim Storm Drain & Sewer Maintenance

By William Cortez, Community Writer

July 8, 2026 at 07:59am. Views: 462

Storm drain infrastructure helps manage rainwater and reduce flooding in residential neighborhoods. Recent planning efforts have focused on identifying long-term improvements that can better manage stormwater, reduce localized flooding, and support future development throughout the city.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group AI Generated Image

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

July 8, 2026 at 07:59am. Views: 495

Mom and daughter help cleanup their community. Residents regularly work alongside city staff, nonprofit organizations, and local businesses to support programs that improve parks, beautify public spaces, and bring neighbors together.

Photo Courtesy of: AI Generated Image Greated by ChatGPT

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

July 8, 2026 at 08:00am. Views: 513

The iconic California Theatre glows in downtown San Bernardino as visitors arrive for an evening performance, highlighting the historic venue's continuing role as a centerpiece for arts, culture, and community events.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT.

By William Cortez, Community Writer

July 8, 2026 at 08:00am. Views: 489

Volunteers of all ages work together in a San Bernardino community garden, planting fresh vegetables and flowers while promoting healthy living, environmental stewardship, and stronger neighborhood connections.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT.

By William Cortez, Community Writer

July 8, 2026 at 08:00am. Views: 579

A classic Route 66 scene celebrates San Bernardino's place along the historic highway, where vintage Americana, local businesses, and community pride continue to welcome travelers from around the world.

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

July 8, 2026 at 08:00am. Views: 585

Welcome to the celebration! Parade volunteers proudly welcomed the community to Moreno Valley's 4th of July Parade celebrating 250 Years of Freedom.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group AI Generated Image

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

July 8, 2026 at 08:00am. Views: 551

City crews and firefighters inspect vegetation management efforts designed to reduce wildfire risks around neighborhoods.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT

By William Cortez, Community Writer

July 8, 2026 at 08:00am. Views: 622

Children and parents enjoy trampoline attractions, climbing areas, and interactive games inside a modern indoor family entertainment center.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

July 8, 2026 at 08:00am. Views: 229

A family prepares emergency supplies and evacuation essentials as part of a wildfire readiness plan. Inland Empire wildfire, CAL FIRE, Riverside County Fire, San Bernardino County Fire, emergency preparedness, wildfire prevention, Inland Empire news, California fire season

Photo Courtesy of: City News group AI generated Image ChatGPT

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

July 1, 2026 at 01:33pm. Views: 816

A California Highway Patrol officer monitors traffic as drivers travel along a busy Inland Empire freeway.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.instagram.com/reel

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

July 1, 2026 at 01:33pm. Views: 1318

A member of the Jessie Combs Foundation team performs maintenance under the hood of a vintage Chevrolet Blazer during the 2026 Hemmings Great Race, showcasing the mechanical skill and teamwork required to keep historic vehicles running throughout the cross-country rally.

--> -->