Ready for Baby is #BetterForBaby

The year was 1995 1996 2003. It was my senior year in college and I had Clinical Psychology with Dr. Farkash. I loved that professor! This was it. I was going to do an internship locally and I don't even remember my list of choices. I do remember that on that list there was only one choice for me: BETA Center. I had driven by it regularly as it was on my side of town and I knew what it was: a school for pregnant teens. But they were so much more. They provided assistance in a myriad of ways to teens, women and children in my community.

So off I went to counsel girls. I'd always have a soft spot for working with young girls and I couldn't think of a better way to spend my semester than helping students through their particular situation.

I still recall one of my girls giving birth to a beautiful baby girl and me driving to her house and checking in on them. In my possession I had a brown paper bag. It contained gently used clothing and diapers.

That brown paper bag is what led to my #BetterforBaby project.

I remember times when the pantry would be low in supplies. And I remember helping fold clothes for those small but important layette sets.

When Pampers showcased this video and then subsequently reached out to the baby board members and asked if we had a community service project, I jumped at the chance (tissue alert: getchu some).

This grew to beyond the grant I was provided by Pampers which I was going to use to have handmade quilts that the Center could give away to moms and their new babies. My sister had the idea of creating an IndigeGoGo page to get the community involved. My brother created this graphic:

And with that we were off! The campaign raised $1,000 to buy diapers, wipes and other items for the babies.

While we ran into a glitch with the quilts not being created on time (almost 70 quilts were to be handmade for this project), I am ecstatic that we were able to deliver well over 2,000 diapers, wipes, feminine products, formula, socks, breastmilk storage bags (you know I love that) and even a ton of reusable breast pads for those Mamis to use!

Yes, I got to play Tetris in my car!

I am so proud of my community. And I'm proud that I was able to return to that place that captured my heart so long ago.

Is there such a thing as a diaper ring? If so, I was the leader!

This is not a one-off campaign for me. I will be heading back with an additional donation to make up for the quilts not being completed (long story that I will tell you one day, over drinks).

But, understanding that everything happens for a reason, I think that we will be able to support this organization and the girls at the facility during the holidays. Somehow, that means more to my heart and spirit at the moment.

The gist behind the Better for Baby campaign is that we all want to make a baby's life better. When there's a baby in the room, everyone lights up. I believe it's because of the possibility. The newness of that life and our internal commitment to guide that child along to fulfill his/her potential.

This campaign captured my heart in the same way that the Beta Center captured it so many years ago. Now I get a chance to help a new groups of moms and their babies.

I cannot thank you enough for supporting this campaign! If you didn't get a chance to support the grassroots #Ready4Baby campaign, you still have a way to support this outstanding organization.

This was all you guys! Thank you for donating!

This week, BETA has kicked off their very first evah social fundraising campaign. This makes my social media consultant heart leap!

It's called #20kIn20Days so you know they are about it! No amount is too small, y'all and they need these funds to help maintain an adequate environment for successful learning and support for their teen moms.

I'm grateful that I was able to help immediately with donations and hope to be able to support this campaign and whatever comes down the line this year for the holidays.

Can you take a look at this wishlist and see if you can help make life #BetterforBaby?

Better yet, can you help support their “20K in 20 Days!” crowdfunding campaign to support their facility needs?