In a heartwarming show of community spirit, a collection of local businesses has joined forces to provide some much-needed comfort to mothers spending the holidays at BC Children's Neonatal Care. Through a thoughtful collaboration with Blume, Olive and Piper, RavenSong Soap and Candle, Smash and Tess, and Bear Essential Oils, wellness gift bags filled with cozy clothes, soothing lattes, jewelry, cold-processed soap, and essential oils are being gifted to mothers navigating the stress and uncertainty of having a baby in the NICU.
The initiative was sparked by the desire to give back to families who spend extended periods in the hospital, often missing the warmth and support of their communities during the holidays. For Alissa and Cody Assu, the owners of Bear Essential Oils, this cause holds a particularly special place in their hearts. The couple themselves spent 156 days in the hospital with their newborn son, experiencing first-hand the emotional toll and overwhelming challenges faced by NICU families.
Image: Featuring Alissa and Cody's Son born at 27 weeks gestation and weighing 1 pound.
In an emotional reflection, Alissa Assu shared, "The moment our son came off the breathing machines and took his first breath on his own—there was a shift. I knew we were going to make it, and that was one of the most defining moments of our lives."
Their experience, while difficult, has inspired them to give back to other parents walking a similar path. Bear Essential Oils has contributed to the wellness bags, offering their signature products—calming essential oils that provide a sense of peace and grounding during what can be an incredibly stressful time.
The gift bags aim to bring a little bit of comfort and joy to the mothers who are often sleep-deprived, anxious, and far from home as they tend to their tiny, fragile newborns. Alongside the oils, each bag includes a pair of cozy loungewear from Smash and Tess, a selection of delicate jewelry from Olive and Piper, handmade soaps from RavenSong Soap and Candle, and nourishing lattes from Blume. The carefully curated bags offer a respite for mothers who are doing everything they can to support their babies' health and development in those crucial early days.
"For so many of us who have been through the NICU experience, the little things can make all the difference," said Assu. "These gifts are more than just items—they are symbols of strength, support, and solidarity with all the mothers going through this journey."
The community-driven effort highlights the importance of coming together in times of hardship and providing practical, emotional, and spiritual support to those who need it most. With the holidays being a particularly difficult time for families in the NICU, these wellness bags offer a small but meaningful way to remind mothers that they are seen, they are valued, and they are not alone.
Read Alissa Assu BC Women's feature "Hope and Resilience in BC Women’s NICU".
Image: Celebrating graduation day at the BC Women's Bumblee Unit.