What is ICU2?

Infants and Children Under Two

The ICU2 program fills the gap for young children following the Calgary Health Region Best Beginnings Program. Through donations from the Calgary community we are able to provide essentials for children from birth to two years of age. The primary intent is to provide for the basic necessities of life and to give babies the best possible start in life. Currently we provide responses to clients of diapers, formula, bottles, cribs, strollers, car seats and many more supplies.

There is a great need for supplementary supplies for babies in low-income families to ensure they have the best start in life possible. It is our desire through our efforts in this area to improve the quality of life for the baby and the entire family and to give the parent(s) peace of mind in knowing that their baby's needs are being met.

Through donations from the Calgary community we are able to provide families with items and resources required to ensure their baby is comfortable.

To see our latest ICU2 updates, visit our What's New page.

Important Facts

All of the donations are given out to clients and families - FREE of charge.
Baby furniture and other resources that are requested by the client are delivered directly to client homes - FREE of charge.
All of the donations that are accepted through this program are donated to NeighbourLink through the Calgary community. This includes individuals, clubs, businesses, and other social service agencies.
NeighbourLink believes in the principle of valuing people. With this principle we endeavour to only give out baby items and baby furniture that are in good repair.

Volunteer with us!

The ICU2 program is always looking for volunteers to help distribute the resources and goods to our clients. Many of our clients have limited access to transportation so our responses to their needs for their children are met by a volunteer taking the goods directly to their homes. If you would like to volunteer to deliver baby supplies for the ICU2 program, please contact our Manager of Volunteer Resources LeeAnne Alexander at 403-538-7314 or visit our Volunteers page.

Donations

If you would like to make a donation of baby items or furniture to the ICU2 program, please call our Donation Line at 403-538-7395. As much as possible we encourage you to drop your donations off at the warehouse during open hours. If you need items to be picked up, please call the same number and arrange for pick-up.

Items you can donate...

The following is a guideline for good quality used or new items that are accepted. For more information about donations phone 403-538-7395.

Diapers: newborn to size six
Baby wipes
Food: infant formula, cereal, crackers, baby food jars - up to 24 months
Furniture: cribs and mattresses, strollers, high chairs, swings, change tables
Clothing: newborn to 24 months
Blankets: receiving blankets, crib blankets, quilts
Bathroom items: baby wash, baby soap, baby towels, bath tubs, baby shampoo, baby powder and lotion
Other: bibs, socks, books, baby gates, toys, baby monitors, booster seats

Financial Donations

If you would like to make a financial contribution to purchase supplies, please visit our Donate Now page for more information. Tax receipts are issued for donations over $20.

Organize a 'No Crib for A Bed' baby item drive!

The program 'No Crib for A Bed' recognizes that many babies born to families in Calgary go without a crib to sleep in their first months. To meet this need, NeighbourLink asks YOU to give a new baby a place to sleep.

For this program we ask you to purchase a new or gently-used crib (or several) and fill it with items that a new baby would need. This would include: mattress, sheets, blankets, diapers, formula, clothing, etc. The cribs and the items collected will go to ICU2 clients with new babies.

'Gifts for Gals' program

Every year we reach out to the moms of the babies that we help through the ICU2 program with the 'Gifts for Gals' program. These mothers will receive a surprise gift bag filled with presents just for mom.

We need your help to collect items such as special soaps, bubble bath, make-up, lotions and more to be included in the gift bags that will be delivered to these moms as a surprise Christmas gift. Take a quick look through your closets, ladies, and see what items you haven't used yet!

If you would like to organize a drive to collect items for Gifts for Gals, please contact us at 403-538-7314 or e-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The gift bags are assembled the first week of December each year at the NeighbourLink warehouse. In addition, all of the gift bags are delivered by volunteers. It is an incredible experience to deliver a surprise gift to a mom-in-need! If you would like to volunteer to help, please phone 403-538-7314 or visit our Volunteers page.