GBGH Welcomes Newest Community Members with Baby Bundles for Families

 From left to right: Michelle Blake, Manager of Obstetrics at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH); Ruth Jeannotte, member of the Askennonia Senior Centre knitting group; and Alexandra Rawn, Supervisor of Obstetrics at GBGH, celebrate the launch of the GBGH Baby Bundle program. 

April 9, 2025 – Families welcoming a new baby at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) will now go home with a Baby Bundle, a small gift box filled with thoughtfully selected items to support newborns and their caregivers during their first days at home. 

“The start of a new life is a meaningful moment for families, and we wanted to find a way to mark that experience with something special,” said Matthew Lawson, President and CEO of GBGH. “These Baby Bundles are a small but heartfelt way for GBGH and our community partners to show care, support, and congratulations to families as they begin this new chapter.” 

Each Baby Bundle includes a “Born at GBGH” onesie, a GBGH sloth stuffed animal, diapers and baby wipes, a “Baby on Board” bumper magnet, newborn hygiene products, and a hand‑knitted blanket and hat. 

The Baby Bundle program is made possible through collaboration with community partners. GBGH partnered with Askennonia Senior Centre, whose knitting group generously agreed to create blankets for every bundle given to families. GBGH Volunteers also contrbuted by kinitting the hats for each bundle.  

“The knitting group at Askennonia takes great pride in contributing to the GBGH Baby Bundle program,” said Blair Randolph Flood, Executive Director at Askennonia Senior Centre. “For many of our members, creating these items is more than just knitting, it’s about giving back, staying connected, and knowing their work will bring comfort to new families in our community.” 

Diapers and baby wipes included in the bundles were kindly provided by an anonymous donor via the GBGH Foundation, further strengthening the community effort behind the initiative. 

The Baby Bundle program reflects GBGH’s commitment to compassionate, patient‑centred care and celebrating life’s milestones alongside the community it serves. In the last fiscal year alone, 215 babies were born at GBGH, each representing a new beginning for families across North Simcoe.