Note: Thanks to all those who have supported this worthy cause. Please help this drive reach the 100% mark if you’re able. I am a supporter of this effort. – KtE

An ongoing effort to show the families of newborns who were born in need of additional support in the NICU is already made it past the halfway point, according to organizer Blair Elrod.

Elrod, who is also the Executive Director of the Polk County Chamber of Commerce, said that 52 boxes have so far been pledged for the Cuddle Bear Drive to the Floyd Medical Center NICU during the holiday season.

She began the drive as a way to honor her niece Kelsyn Hooper, born at 35 weeks gestation, and needed a week in the NICU at Floyd Medical Center before being allowed to return home healthy and happy.

Along with the personal honor for Elrod, the goal is to also raise awareness for those families who undergo the stress of their newborn needing immediate help upon birth during NICU Awareness Month.

She said previously that “It is my goal to provide a small reminder to Floyd NICU families that they are thought of, prayed for and loved during this difficult time in their lives.”

Elrod is aiming to donate 100 Cuddle Bear Boxes to the Floyd Medical Center NICU to be distributed to NICU families this holiday season.

Boxes are $25 each and donations can be sent via PayPal by clicking this link: https://paypal.me/floydcuddlebears or via Venmo by sending donations to @floydcuddlebears In the notes section of each payment form donors can notate if the donation is in honor or memory of a loved one.

Once the drive closes, bears will be purchased and labels added. The Cuddle Bear Drive will run until September 13th. Any questions can be sent to FloydCuddleBears@gmail.com.