What started as a simple gesture – providing Halloween costumes to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit babies in 2010 – has grown into something much more. Project Sweet Peas, a Warwick-based nonprofit, now brings holiday-themed photo shoots to the tiniest Rhode Islanders at Women & Infants Hospital’s NICU.

Project Sweet Peas is a nationwide organization dedicated to empowering and supporting families of medically fragile infants while also offering remembrance resources for those affected by pregnancy and infant loss.

Most recently, the group brought Valentine’s Day cheer to the NICU. Volunteers created handmade lay-on costumes and hats, ensuring that every baby could safely participate if their parents wished. With themed props and volunteer photographers, families received professional-quality photos, free of charge, as cherished keepsakes.

Looking ahead, Project Sweet Peas plans to expand these photo shoots to more holidays and, eventually, on a monthly basis. Beyond photography, the organization provides a weekly supply cart, gas and food gift cards, care packages and emotional support to families navigating the NICU journey.

For more information, visit ProjectSweetPeas.com. To learn about volunteer opportunities, email info@projectsweetpeas.com.