HELP FOR BABIES IN NEED
For many expectant mothers in our community, the excitement of having a baby is diminished by serious life stresses. In some cases, a woman has fled domestic violence, which can accelerate during pregnancy or after the birth of a baby. Other times, poverty has made it impossible to prepare for the baby’s arrival.
Soroptimist International of Hood River invites the whole community to make a difference for these new families by donating new baby care items into specially marked “Community Baby Shower” donation boxes located throughout Hood River and The Dalles (locations listed below), anytime until Friday, May 17. Also, checks may be sent to Soroptimist (SIHR), PO Box 51, Hood River, OR 97031. Donated money and gifts will be given to New Parent Services in Hood River and Families First in The Dalles, Programs of The Next Door, whose trained staff support families expecting their first baby.
New Parent Services/Families First would appreciate the following new, unwrapped, gender-neutral shower gifts:
• Bathing, diapering, and feeding supplies
• Gender neutral clothes
• Board books and educational toys
• Quilts and receiving blankets
Community Baby Shower donation boxes are located in Hood River at:
• The Next Door Inc., 965 Tucker Road
• Providence Hospital main lobby
• Riverside Church, 3rd and State Streets
In The Dalles, find donation boxes at:
• Families First office, 318 W. 2nd St.
• Gateway Presbyterian Church, 1111 Dry Hollow Rd.
• Columbia River Women’s Clinic, 1810 E 19th, Suite 209
“These babies deserve to have their basic needs met. I know we can count on the many loving and generous people of our communities to help ease the burden on new parents by providing basic items for a great start,” says Stephanie Hartman, Soroptimist Community Baby Shower committee chair.
Save the date and come to a happy hour and final round-up of gifts and money on Friday, May 17, 5:30 p.m. at Adornments of Hood River, located upstairs at 202 Oak Street, Suite 100. Sponsors for the happy hour round-up are Tammy’s Floral, Sweet Things by Julie, Phelps Creek Winery and Adornments of Hood River.
Soroptimist International of Hood River is a business and professional women’s service organization with the goal of improving the lives of women and girls both locally and around the world. Learn more at soroptimmist.org. For more information on the Community Baby Shower, e-mail stephanie@adornmentsofhoodriver.com, or call 541-490-3363. For New Parent Services and Families First information, contact program director Julie Ryan, 541-296-8118, ext. 210.
