Babies are lovable and cuddly. They bring a smile to your face, a spring in your step, and joy in your heart.
Babies also need-- no, demand-- attention and are EXPENSIVE!
Help is on the way for new parents. For the last eight years, the Rutherford County Health Department and United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties have collaborated to provide prenatal education and supplies to expectant families.
This year the Annual Community Baby Shower will be hosted virtually, due to ongoing public health concerns. Classes will be reviewing the topics of Women, Infants & Children, (WIC), Breastfeeding, and Car Seat Safety with classes held Tuesday, February 8th, Wednesday, February 9th, and Thursday, February 10th.
“Whether it's a parent’s first child or fifth, we all learn something new through the program,” said LaShan Dixon, Public Health Rutherford County Director, who pours her hearth into the event year after year. “We’ve helped more than 3000 families, in a demanding area, in challenging times, and it’s so nice to shower parents with love, guidance, and gifts over a few days.”
Registration for Community Baby Shower, hosted by RUCO Health Department, will be on Eventbrite under the title “Rutherford County Community Baby Shower Virtual Event”. In order, to receive a diaper bag stuffed with baby essentials, parents must participate in one class. If they attend more than one, their name is entered in a raffle for prizes.
The community can help! United Way’s Community Shower Sort-a-Thon is scheduled for February 11 at Patterson Park Community Center with aims to supply 500 babies with essential items. Robust baby supply bags will be distributed to families in need by Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford, Stone Crest Medical Center, Nurses for Newborns, Holloway High School, Primary Hope Clinic, Nurture the Next, and Rutherford County Health Department.
The Community Baby Shower-Sort-a- Thon 2022 goal is to collect:
- 15,000 diapers
- 1,000 packages of wipes
- 500 blankets
- 500 bottles
- 500 onesies
Collection sites for donation items are:
- United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties
- Volunteer State Bank
- Old Time Pottery
- First Community Bank of Tennessee
- Wilson Bank & Trust
- Cornerstone Financial Credit Union
- Cumberland Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
To volunteer, and/or make purchases through an Amazon wish list, visit the United Way website. To register for the free classes, go to the Rutherrd County Health Department eventbrite page.