Members of the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach visited Naval Medical Center Portsmouth’s (NMCP) Pediatric Ward and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to give gifts to patients and mothers on Dec. 11.

The Junior League gave out books and activities to patients in the Pediatric Ward to promote reading and literacy, as well as spread joy during the holiday season.

“We came to bring a little bit of joy and also promote literacy at the same time,” said Logistics Specialist 1st Class Anna Marie Houston, a member of the Junior League and an active duty service member. “We like to bring activities and books for the children to read during their stay here at the hospital.”

They also visited the NICU to pass out bags of supplies to mothers who may not have been prepared for their baby to be admitted to the unit.

“Part of our program is to give some attention to the moms who may have unexpectedly found themselves in the NICU with their babies,” said Stefanie Cianto, a member of the Junior League. “So we bring some supplies for both them and the baby. Hopefully this gives them some joy while they are having a tough situation.”

The Junior League is a group of female leaders dedicated to community change and composed of diverse, creative, compassionate and action-oriented women. The Junior League is committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action of trained volunteers.

“I have always believed that we have to be involved in the community and I like being part of something that is bigger than just myself,” Cianto said. “Whenever I can, I try and give back to the community that I am in. My boyfriend is in the military and I moved around so the Junior League is a really great avenue to get connected to the community. It’s also a reminder of the things that people go through every day so when I see that, it gives me perspective and want to give back a little bit more as well.”

As the U.S. Navy's oldest, continuously-operating military treatment facility since 1830, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth proudly serves past and present military members and their families. The nationally acclaimed, state of the art medical center, including its ten branch and TRICARE Prime clinics, serves the Hampton Roads area.  Additionally, NMCP offers premier research and teaching programs designed to prepare new doctors, nurses and hospital corpsmen for future roles in healing and wellness.

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