2025 Baby’s First Holiday

Twenty-six years ago, one of our OB nurses noticed that many new mothers were leaving the hospital without basic newborn essentials. Wanting to change that, she gathered a small group of volunteers, and Baby’s First Holiday (formerly “Baby’s First Christmas”) was born. What started as a simple act of kindness has grown into a beloved annual tradition that brings joy, dignity, and support to LCHC moms and their newborns. Baby’s First Holiday remains entirely volunteer-driven.

As one of the few Federally Qualified Health Centers with an Obstetrics Department, we are proud to provide compassionate, comprehensive care for growing families. This year alone, our LCHC staff has delivered over 650 babies at MGB Salem Hospital, offering high-quality, integrated care to all, regardless of ability to pay. Many births take place in a language other than English, and our team provides round-the-clock support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Not every pregnancy is simple. Some are high-risk, and many moms rely on our clinicians for safe, expert care close to home. When needed, we collaborate with specialists at Boston hospitals to ensure the best outcomes, often welcoming moms back to deliver at MGB Salem, where they feel most supported.

Our moms want what every parent wants: health, stability, and hope for a bright future. But for many families recovering from economic hardship, the holiday season can bring added financial stress. That is why Baby’s First Holiday matters so deeply.

This year’s Baby’s First Holiday event welcomed over 120 parents and children (55 families). This year’s event offered several activities for families to enjoy, including:

• Cookie decorating with the help of local high school volunteers
• Face painting
• Photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus
• A warm, delicious meal shared together
• Gift bags packed with newborn essentials and special surprises

Thanks to the generosity of our community, 28 donors and sponsors helped make this year’s event possible. Their support ensures that every family feels celebrated, supported, and embraced during this special season.

Your donations and support for Baby’s First Holiday make it possible for our volunteers to fill gift bags with meaningful items that help new parents during their baby’s first weeks of life. Each contribution goes directly toward essentials like:

• $25 – Two packages of diapers and wipes
• $50 – A fully stocked gift bag with baby essentials
• $100 – Larger items such as a baby bathtub, pack-and-play, swing, or toiletry sets
• $250 – Grocery store gift cards to help families purchase nutritious food

These resources offer comfort, reduce financial strain, and help parents focus on what matters most, their baby’s health and well-being. Any remaining funds continue supporting families throughout the year with urgent baby and household needs.

We are deeply grateful to our dedicated LCHC staff, our generous volunteers, and the entire community whose support makes Baby’s First Holiday possible each year. Serving such an incredible community in Lynn is a privilege, and we are honored to celebrate and support our families during this special season. Thank you for helping us bring joy, comfort, and hope to new parents and their babies.

For those who would like to learn more about supporting Baby’s First Holiday, you can find more information here.