In August of 2012 I (Sarah), executive director of Blessings for Babies, was 16 years old and chose to volunteer with another organization to help mothers in need. I was appalled to find that when I offered larger items the mother was never told; the agency just told me that they didn't want them. When the basket was delivered I was told multiple times that the basket I had made of baby items was
“to big” and “over the top.” I later found out the items had been removed from the basket I made and given to other parents without me being asked or even knowing! Upon getting in contact with the mother who received the basket I found that the agency was very rude to the parents as well, the parents were degraded for asking for the assistance and the staff had many opinions that they were not afraid to share, although their content would have been better kept to themselves. After this experience I turned to simply helping my friend who was a struggling 16 year old parent, Marissa. When her daughter outgrew clothes we would find other parents through parenting groups that could use them and passed them on. Slowly we began “taking in” mothers from alternative high schools, parenting groups and churches and making them a basket of baby items. We found everything on clearance, at garage sales, or through other parents who's children had outgrown them. The need soon grew and we began taking in larger sizes, first expanding in November to size 2T, then in February expanding to 5t and recently in May expanding to size 6/7. Throughout this excited journey our main goal is that every parent who comes to us is treated with respect, given all the help that we can offer, and is handed on a personal basis. Blessings for Babies is now a thriving charity running out of Bloomington from our homes and serving as many as 20 parents in need each week. We gladly accept donations of new and gently used items. Baby items we accept (new or gently used) include -
Clothing up to 6/7
Shoes up to size 2 children's
Winter coats, boots, hats, etc. Spring/fall jackets
Books and toys appropriate for ages 0-7
Socks
Infant hats
Bibs
Burp rags
Blankets
Bassinet, crib, toddler, pack and play, and twin sized bedding
Diaper bags
Bottles
Pacifiers
Teething toys
Cribs, bassinets, toddler beds and pack and plays
bouncers
Jumpers and jumperoos
Swings
Exercaucers
Carseats, strollers, and travel systems (not expired)
Breast pumps (Must be sterilized please!)
Infant and child hangers
Holiday and dresswear
Basic sports stuff (leotards, ballet shoes, cleats, etc.) Pretty much anything else baby, toddler, or young child! Non-baby items accepted include-
Plastic storage tubs
Cardboard boxes
Trash bags
Curling ribbon (baby colors preferred, pink, blue, white, yellow etc.) Laundry or other similar sized baskets
Masking tape
Permanent markers
Note cards
Shelving (bookshelves, etc.) Storage racks to hang clothing
Laundry detergent
Stain remover
Disinfecting wipes
New ONLY (must be sealed in original packaging)items accepted -
Formula
Diapers
Wipes
Baby food
Nursing pads and cream
Bath items (soap, lotion, diaper rash cream)
Hand sanitizer
Thermometers
Baby or children's OTC medicine (Tylenol, etc.) If an item is not listed and you would like to know if we accept it please feel free to contact us at www.facebook.com/blessings4babies or at [email protected]
All non-baby items are used for the storage, labeling, cleaning, or distribution of items. If you have questions about how these go to use we are happy to answer them! Nothing donated goes to Blessings for Babies staff or their families. All baby and kid items go directly to families in need and are typically with Blessings for Babies for less then a week.
