Newborns in Need help babies get the essential clothing and bedding they need. Carol Green created this charity after seeing the plight of babies going without.
Carol Green of Houston Missouri first got involved with assisting babies in 1992. She was saddened to learn about how many babies went without essentials such as blankets, bedding and clothing. So many of the babies were born into poverty and suffering needlessly. When some of the babies died, they had to be buried in paper sacks for lack of clothing. Since many of them were premature, their small size was also an issue.
Carol created Newborns in Need shortly after witnessing their plight and began sewing in her own home with the assistance of her husband and six children. She tirelessly recruited people from the community willing to volunteer and contacted shelters, crisis centers and hospitals inquiring how to help.
In 1998, Newborns in Need expanded and became a registered 501charity. There are now several chapters across the United States and many of the volunteers are from other countries.
Newborns in Need helped many victims of Hurricane Katrina and donated over 11,831 items to families in need.
They also have a Christmas Stocking Project that has been quite successful and many groups have participated in contributing to hospitals, social service offices, law enforcement offices and health departments to give to children who would otherwise go without during the holidays.
Newborns in Need has free patterns on their website that you can download and use to sew premature and baby items. They also sell pattern sets that include 19 different patterns for only $5.00 and use them as a fundraiser for NIN.
Here is a list of supplies urgently needed for newborns obtained from their website:
Sleepers (preemie and newborn)
Gowns (preemie and newborn)
Pacifiers (many hospitals do not have pacifiers to give babies to calm them after surgery or while babies are stressed, this is an urgent and most important item)
Baby hygiene items such as baby powder, baby shampoo, baby lotion, baby soap, diaper rash cream, etc are in seriously short supply - please help.
Receiving blankets
Bassinet Sheets
Outfits - tops, bottoms, sets, clothing
Burp cloths
Diapers - preemie, newborn, and older disposable diapers. Cloth diapers are appreciated.
Bottles - preemie, 4 ounce and 8 ounce bottles - all types. Bottle lines are also appreciated.
Burial layettes - burial gowns, bonnets, blankets and memorial items are needed
Comfort toys
Booties, socks and shoes
Diaper Bags
Changing pads
Bibs
Baby hats
Undershirts
Baby furniture - cribs, bassinets, changing tables, dressers, high chairs, and play pens.
For more information on donating to help give these babies a healthy healing warm start heres a page to print offwith mailing info and payment details on NIN.
Carol states that "only through the power and hand of God could such a wonderful miracle have occurred in bringing help and hope to many babies and families wherever they may be."
The copyright of the article Newborns in Need in Anti-Poverty Activism is owned by Sandra Williams. Permission to republish Newborns in Need in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.