How It All Began

In 1996, after giving birth to a tiny 8-inch, 4-ounce baby, Victoria Swain found that the hospital was not equipped to clothe or provide even a blanket for her tiny stillborn infant. Driven by the knowledge that there was a need to be filled here, she looked for a way to fill that need. After contacting another program that did these sorts of things in another state, she began recruiting Colorado volunteers and collecting materials to make donations to hospitals that needed these tiny specialty items.

After spending a couple of years under the tutelage of another group, Newborns in Need – Missouri, the board members at that time voted to arrange for a standalone 501(c)3 organization to serve Colorado’s tiniest citizens. In July of 2000, Warm Hearts-Warm Babies was officially its own entity. From approximately 60 volunteers and lots of warm hearts, the organization has grown to what it is today, with approximately 600 volunteers, serving over 50 agencies and individuals across Colorado.

The first donation was made to Platte Valley Medical Center. There were a total of 100 items, and each “layette” had a receiving blanket, a gown, a bib, booties, and a hat.

Every group of volunteers needs a vision. Victoria Swain provided ours.
She was our first warm heart.