Four years ago, local photographer and Davidsonville resident Linda McCarthy began applying her talents to benefit her community. As a 20-year veteran photographer specializing in weddings and family portraits, Linda often found herself taking great photos of babies, and thought they would make a wonderful local calendar. But she wanted this to be more than a calendar – she wanted this project to have a positive impact on her community.
Thus the Angel Calendar was born.
Partnering with the AAMC Labor and Delivery Unit and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Linda met dozens of families that had beautiful babies, some of whom had survived and thrived thanks specifically to the care and dedication of the NICU team.
“As I would take photos of these adorable babies, I would hear the most wonderful stories about the family’s experience at AAMC’s NICU and their sincere appreciation of the care their babies had received,” explains Linda. “It gave me such joy to know I was creating a way for these families to say thank you to people who had played such an important role in their lives.”
Since 2009, Linda’s Angel Calendar has raised more than $70,000 to support care for NICU babies at AAMC.
“The Angel Calendars have brought a special magic to our NICU with a miracle worker leading the charge,” praises NICU Clinical Director Carol Lacher. “Thanks to the efforts and generosity of Linda and Visual Concepts Photography, we purchased much needed special emergency carts, chairs for family members to sit in while staying in the room with their baby, and special the room lighting for medical treatments.”
“I have always believed in giving back to the community,” explains Linda. “What can be better than knowing you are helping someone who truly needs it!”
