Showers of Generosity!
Posted by Roger on Saturday, September 15th, 2007
Wow! Where do I even begin? The Community Baby Shower was a great success! As most of you know, things move pretty quickly when it comes to the Families Against Planned Parenthood campaign so, when a friend of mine from church suggested this idea to me, I quickly passed it on. By the time we got the final “thumbs up” we had only 4 days to make this idea a reality. Yes, you read right, 4 days! But, as we know, with God all things are possible. Several women from our Mom’s Group at Holy Angels quickly volunteered their time and talents and, within 48 hours, we not only connected with the organizations who we planned on benefiting but we also had done a PR “blitz” to the local faith community and parish schools.
So, this morning as we set up empty playpens adorned with pink and blue balloons, we had no idea what kind of response we would receive. Would anyone respond to our call to help women and families in need? How many playpens would we fill? We quickly found out that the answers were YES and MANY! Here’s what the generous and caring people of our community donated with only a few days notice – 120 packs of diapers, 56 boxes of wipes, 30 baby blankets, 70 baby toiletry items, 70 outfits and onesies, 48 items of baby food and formula, 62 baby care items including bottles, pacifiers, feeding supplies, etc., as well as a crib mattress and bedding set, baby monitor, floor gym, and a $50 gift card for a local maternity clothing store! I can not tell you the gratitude of the women who were there working on behalf of the 3 organizations who will benefit from these donations. Which, by the way, are Project Gabriel, the Pregnancy Information Center , and Catholic Charities. What a blessing these items will be to so many mothers and babies!
One particularly touching moment today was when a woman who stopped by to drop off her donation said to us that she was once in need of this type of help and people reached out to her and now she wanted to donate and give back so others could be helped in the same way. You see, unlike the option of abortion, the choice of reaching out in love simply lends itself to an increase in love. It comes back around. And, unlike PP, these organizations don’t just provide a one time service and then wave you out the door. They are here to help for as long as they are needed and to provide pregnant women and new mothers with not only material assistance but with counseling support and spiritual encouragement. God bless these great people who work tirelessly to help women say “yes” to life under difficult circumstances.
So, I humbly say THANK YOU to all who gave so generously on such short notice. Today was proof that when we, those who value the sanctity of ALL human life, combine our prayers with action great things can, and do, happen. I also want to say thank you to the following people for making this baby shower possible…
Rita from Project Gabriel, Kathy from the Pregnancy Information Center in Aurora , and Kelly/Terry from Catholic Charities. My baby shower team – Claire, Tara, Andrea, Debbie, Dan, Jane M, Karen, Jane F, and Teri. (Thank you Tara for the balloons!) Dominicks for the use of some of their parking spaces and their cooperation. And finally, to Eric and the whole FAPP crew (too many to name!) – your dedication and passion are inspiring – thank you!
In His Service,
Dawn
I have so many other items I didn't get to bring today. In the effort of getting out of the house to get to the march finale I forgot everything and stopped to buy diapers/wipes. Do you have a local place or person/church that we could bring things to.
I would think we could keep this ball rolling with area churches for a few weeks and if they are ok with coats/boots etc., for winter it could be an even larger success.
Please feel free to contact my email. I have a ton of clothes 12mo-4yrs. old for girls that need a home!!
Becky
September 15th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
VIDEO: Protest of Aurora Planned Parenthood (800 Strong), September 15
http://www.jillstanek.com/archives/2….html#comments
Mike
September 16th, 2007 at 6:12 am
[...] sure also to check out this post from the Families Against Planned Parenthood blog on the Baby Shower sponsored Saturday in [...]
September 17th, 2007 at 11:50 am
DO YOU KNOW OF ANY WERE I CAN GET HELPFOR BOY CLOTHING ANY CHURCHES OR SOME WHERE THAT CAN HELP ME UNEMPLOYED SINGLE MOTHER OF 4 IT ROUGH RIGHT NOW
September 19th, 2007 at 2:12 am
Mary,
Many churches in the area offer help. My parish, Holy Angels, has a parish pantry. I don't think it's limited to food assistance. Check out http://www.holy-angels.org/church/ministry.htm for a contact phone number and call them.
God Bless,
Roger
September 19th, 2007 at 11:26 am
We all need to make known that there are health services for women in the Aurora/Fox Valley area and no one is being denied. We just need to do a better job of advertising. Below is a short list of Health Services Facilities for low-income families with and without insurance.
PROVENA MERCY MEDICAL CENTER
1325 N Highland Ave
Aurora, IL 60506
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE PROVENA HEALTH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
http://www.provena.org/body.cfm?id=70
Here is the website and locations for Aunt Martha's in Aurora
http://www.auntmarthas.org/Healthcare.aspx
101 South Broadway
(630) 896-7900
Aurora Satellite
22 North Union Street
(630) 499-9906
Aurora Health & Outreach Center
325 E. Galena Blvd.
(630) 264-0916
Here is the website and locations for Visiting Nurses Association in Aurora:
http://www.vnafoxvalley.com/locations.htm
VNA Home Health & Hospice
400 N. Highland Avenue
Aurora, Illinois 60506
Phone: (630) 978-2532
ANSWERED 24 HOURS
Fax: (630) 978-1129
VNA Health Center - Aurora West
400 North Highland Avenue
Aurora, Illinois 60506
Phone: (630) 892-4355
ANSWERED 24 HOURS
WIC: (630) 892-4720
VNA Health Center - Aurora East
49 E. Downer Place
Aurora, Illinois 60505
Phone: (630) 892-4355
ANSWERED 24 HOURS
VNA Tomcat Health Center
(FOR EAST HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO NEED A PHYSICIAN)
Aurora East High School
Phone: (630) 299-8023
September 28th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
CORRECTION:
VNA Tomcat Health Center is available to all East Aurora High School students AND ALL District 131 Middle School students which include Wlado, Simmons and Cowherd.
April 17th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Mary-
My father-in-law is the pastor at Village Baptist Church, located in Aurora at 515 S. Frontenac. The phone number is 630-851-4120. The church has a food pantry and I know that Dad will talk with you and make sure you get what you need. Either he (Pastor Rich), my mother-in-law (Richelle) or their associate pastor (Pastor Bob) will answer they phone. They are all very kind people and will help you however they can.
As far as clothes, I have a lot of contacts with other young moms (my own little ones are both 2) and can usually round up whatever is needed. I would be happy to drop some things by for you if you live in the western suburbs. You can email me at kiddobeans@gmail.com If that doesn't work, click through the link to my blog and send an email through that site.
You are not alone. Lots of people want to help you. I want to help you.
Erin
April 17th, 2008 at 5:34 pm