To The Moon and Back

To the Moon and Back is a NICU ministry founded by fellow Altrusan Kelly Nix.  The inspiration for the project was Kelly's great-niece – Aubrey Kyle Koudelka.  Aubrey was born March 20, 2014 at 31 weeks.   At birth she suffered a massive fetal-maternal hemorrhage.  She spent 3 months in the NICU at Texas Children’s in Houston.  There the nurses dressed her in little handmade crocheted hats and wrapped her in colorful handmade blankets.   This random act of kindness – a handmade gift - from a total stranger touched our hearts. 

 

Unexpectedly at 8 months old Aubrey passed away.  To honor Aubrey this project began in January 2015 making handmade items for Baylor Scott and White NICU in Temple.  Since that time our project has grown!  Altrusa International of Temple adopted To the Moon and Back as a service project in 2016.   We now have over 50 volunteers making items and have donated over 6000 items to hospitals throughout Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, New Jersey and even a shipment to Leeds, England!