Dustin and Cyndi Mitchell of Lincoln understand what it’s like to have a premature baby in the neonatal intensive-care unit. They experienced it double time when their daughters, Alyssa and Isabella, were born at 33 weeks.

It’s that experience of having to go home without their daughters for 11 days while they stayed in the neonatal intensive-care unit at Sutter Memorial Hospital that led them to start the Alyboo and Izybee Foundation in October 2009.

“We know firsthand having had babies in the NICU and having to leave them to come home to eat and shower. That was so hard,” Cyndi Mitchell said. “We wanted to help out parents and babies who have to stay in the hospital.”

To assist those families, the foundation provides a recreational vehicle in the Sutter Roseville hospital parking lot for families to stay in while their premature or critically ill infant is in the hospital, according to Cyndi Mitchell.

“Our idea was to have an RV on premise, so if mom or dad wanted to take a nap or if they have other children who want to come visit the babies, they can go to the RV,” Cyndi Mitchell said.

The recreational vehicle is available for those who live close by and for those who live a long distance away, according to Dustin Mitchell.

The vehicle is stocked with nonperishable food items, shampoo, soaps, plus towels and linens that will be laundered after each family is done staying there, according to Cyndi Mitchell.

The foundation is currently applying for grants to cover vehicle costs, including gas, propane for the stove, maintenance, and batteries.

Donated items, such as towels, clean sheets, travel-size soap and shampoo, and non-perishable food are also needed, according to Cyndi Mitchell.

Each family is allocated a one-week stay that can be extended, depending on demand.

The Alyboo and Izybee Foundation also donates handmade baby hats, isolette covers and scent dolls, which Cyndi Mitchell said are cloth dolls parents put their scent on so babies in the neonatal intensive-care unit can bond with parents.

The foundation has a number of regular volunteers, including Amy Tomei, Jill Miles, Linda Bird, Carmel Hill, Christine Younger, Margi Grant and Renee Stapenhorst.