A recent major donation to the Onslow Memorial Hospital Foundation is set to enhance efforts to ensure newborns across the region leave the hospital safely. The donation will support a new initiative providing free child car seats to low-income families who may not have the resources to meet the state’s car seat requirements.
In North Carolina, parents must have a properly installed car seat before a newborn can be discharged from any hospital. However, for many families facing financial hardship, securing a car seat can be a challenge. To address this need, the OMH Foundation has launched a program to distribute new car seats at no cost to qualifying families.
“A car seat isn’t a luxury item; it’s a necessity because it’s also the law,” said Thomas Giffin, Executive Director of the Onslow Memorial Hospital Foundation.
The initiative will be managed by Onslow Memorial Hospital’s Women and Children Services Department in collaboration with the hospital’s Emergency Room staff.
“Leaders from both Women and Children Services and the Emergency Room came together and gave their support for the car seat initiative, and our generous donor was also behind the idea 100 percent,” said Barbara Brandon, Director of Women’s and Children Services at OMH.
Beyond ensuring infant safety, the program is also expected to help connect families with additional resources.
“It is not uncommon while speaking with a family that we learn of additional needs our patients have, and we can refer them to other resources in the hospital or throughout the local community,” Brandon explained. “The car seat program is just another step in our commitment to children, a commitment which extends far beyond our hospital’s walls.”
Giffin emphasized the importance of this initiative in reducing stress for new mothers.
“Providing car seats to those in need is one less thing for mothers to worry about, and if the Foundation can help take a little stress away from some of our neighbors, then we will continue our efforts to grow this new program,” he said.
The program is now housed in Onslow Memorial Hospital’s Women and Children Services Department, where dedicated staff members ensure that families receive the support they need. Pictured with the car seats provided by the OMH Foundation are RN Randi Bennison, Director of Women and Children Services Barbara Brandon, and RNC Sonya Camp.
With the support of generous donors, OMH remains committed to the well-being of its youngest patients, helping families navigate the journey of parenthood with safety and confidence.