Sorority Charity to Clothe Premature Babies 'Snowballs'

"We wanted to one huge thing to do in observance of our centennial," Gale Isaacs, an officer with the Alpha Kappa Alpha's alumni chapter at Shaw University.

Isaacs learned of the needs of premature babies and their families at WakeMed, and she and her sorority sisters decided to make getting clothing for the infants a charity project in honor of AKA's 100th anniversary.

The unexpected arrival of a premature baby often comes with unanticipated difficulties, nurse Linda Resale said.

"Many times, there is not any notice, or if they've had problems with their pregnancy, usually they are on bed rest, so they haven't had time to go and shop for their babies," Kressler said.

The sorority contacted Hudson Belk at Crabtree Valley Mall to see if they could get a discount. The local store official volunteered to call Carter's, a well-known children's clothing manufacturer. Isaacs said they were shocked by the generous response.

"It just snowballed into this huge donation, and we're here today with all the clothes for the premature babies," Isaacs said. "Oh, they are going to be so well dressed."

Carter's donated 13 boxes filled with hundreds of new outfits for the premature babies. The manufacturer also donated some larger clothes that hospital officials said they plan to put into gift baskets to send home with needy families.

Rebbecca Crocker, the mother of premature twins Jamison and Alexandra, expressed her gratitude for the donated clothing. Crocker said said she and her husband Kevin have spent most of their time since the birth watching over their twins in the WakeMed's intensive care nursery.

"It's nice to see that there are people who are still out there who want to help when you are in a tough situation," Kevin Crocker said.