Harbor + Bow Giving Program

At Harbor + Bow, our giving program began long before our business did. 

When our oldest daughter, AJ, was born, she arrived full-term weighing just 5 pounds and 6 ounces. Shortly after birth, she was rushed to Highland Hospital's Special Care Unit when her blood sugar dropped to critically low levels and she struggled to maintain her body temperature. 

For the first days of her life, AJ lived in an incubator. She wore a tiny handmade knitted hat, two layers of clothing, and was wrapped in two hospital swaddles to help keep her warm. We were only allowed to hold her for short periods of time before she needed to return to the incubator. 

While other families brought their babies home, we left the hospital with an empty car seat and a broken heart, hoping and praying that our little girl would be strong enough to come home soon. 

The nurses and caregivers at Highland Hospital cared for AJ as if she were their own. They also cared for us. They taught us how to feed her, change her diaper, recognize her needs and navigate those first uncertain days of parenthood. They gave us confidence when we needed it most. 

A few days later, AJ proved she could maintain her body temperature and blood sugar on her own. We were finally able to bring home our baby girl!

Years later, AJ was admitted to Golisano Children's Hospital with severe croup. Once again, our family experienced the comfort of exceptional pediatric care close to home. We were reminded how fortunate we are to have such dedicated healthcare teams serving children and families throughout our community. 

Today, AJ is a happy, healthy, athletic little girl. She is our fighter. 

We still have the handmade hat she wore in the Special Care Nursery - someone donated that hat to a family they would never meet. They had no idea the comfort it would bring or how meaningful it would become to us. 

Harbor + Bow Gives Back was created in honor of that kindness. Through our partnership with Highland Hospital, we donate handmade newborn bows to families welcoming baby girls in the Special Care Unit. It is our small way of celebrating life's earliest girlhood moments, and giving back to the community that cared for our family when we needed it most. 

Throughout the year, Harbor + Bow donates handmade newborn bows to families through our community giving program, supporting local maternity and pediatric care organizations like Highland Hospital Special Care Unit and Golisano Children's NICU. 

Thank you for supporting Harbor + Bow and helping us continue this mission. 

With gratitude,

Kristie Murray 

Founder, Harbor + Bow