Lincoln family brightens up Christmas for those in the NICU

The Kibler's are turning small gestures into heart warming acts of kindness this holiday season.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) –The Kibler family was spending their Christmas in the NICU after their daughter Elliot was born 8 weeks early. Alone and confused on what would come next, they got a small surprise that went a long way.

“They left a little gift on the bench for us and we just lost it,” Lara Kibler said.
The gesture inspired them to pay it forward to other families going through the same thing.

“If you’re a parent in the NICU, you are feeling isolated already and you can’t see your extended family,” Cory Kibler said.

For almost three years now, they’ve created goodie bags with things like snacks, bibs, onesies, and essentials to get NICU families through their stay.
They call it Saint NICU. This year, however, looks a little different given the pandemic. Instead of bags filled with goodies, they are purchasing gift cards to local businesses.

“We’ve had local businesses come together and say ‘hey we will match your gift card’ and that to me has warmed my heart,” Lara said.

Even as many struggle during the pandemic, the Kibler family has seen an outpouring of people wanting to help others.

“The best thing to come from the pandemic is that people are more eager to connect with others in some way,” Cory said.

As some families spend their Christmas in the NICU at Bryan Health and CHI St. Elizabeth’s, the Kiblers want to remind them…someone is thinking about you and though times may be hard now, it will get better.

If you’d like to contribute to the Saint NICU, you can check out their website.