In a heartwarming display of community solidarity and support, United Way of Muscatine successfully hosted its annual Community Baby Shower drive to provide essential items for expecting and new parents in need. The drive saw an overwhelming turnout of community members eager to contribute to the well-being of the newest members of their community.
Thanks to the generosity and spirit of the community, the event collected over $4,700 worth of items critical for infant and toddler care. Donations included hundreds of diapers, baby wipes, clothing, blankets, baby formula, and other essential baby care products.
“Many of the families we serve are faced with difficult decisions regarding finances. ‘Do I put gas in my car, buy groceries, or buy diapers?’,” JoJo Green, Trinity Muscatine Public Health, said. “These donations allow families to focus on what is most important to them – their children. Families are beyond grateful for the donations received, and Trinity Muscatine Public Health is thankful for this partnership,”
The items collected will be distributed to the Community Diaper Bank, Luther Services in Iowa HOPES program, Muscatine Center for Social Action, Muscatine Community Y Family Services, The Salvation Army of Muscatine County, and Trinity Muscatine Public Health. These organizations will then distribute the items to families in need, ensuring they have the basic necessities to give children a healthy start in life.
Monetary donations will be used to purchase essential items such as car seats and cribs as they are needed throughout the year.
Seven organizations, including Bridgestone Bandag, Kent Corporation, Grain Processing Corporation, United Way of Muscatine, Stanley Consultants, MidWest One Bank, and Optimae, hosted drives so employees or community members could drop off donations to help families in need. Crossroads Day Habilitation clients volunteered as the pick-up crew, gathering donations from the various sites, and bringing them back to United Way of Muscatine to be inventoried and distributed.
The success of the Community Baby Shower emphasizes the power of community action and the deep-rooted sense of care and support within Muscatine County. Plans for next year’s event are already underway, with the hope of reaching even more businesses to host a drive to help continue to foster a community that takes care of its most vulnerable members.
For those who were not able to give during the drive but wish to contribute, monetary donations are still being accepted. If you are interested in learning more about future Community Baby Shower drives and/or other drives United Way of Muscatine hosts, please contact Hilary Henke at hilary@unitedwaymuscatine.org or 563-263-5963.
About United Way of Muscatine
The mission of United Way of Muscatine is to mobilize resources to empower the greater Muscatine community to improve the lives of people in need. We believe that every household deserves to be self-sufficient. We are working with the community to make sure that we are making a difference.