The birth of a new baby should be a celebration of hope and potential.
But when parents can’t afford such essentials for their babies as diapers, clothes, a crib or car seat, hardship and sacrifice overshadow that joy.
Saturday, the Denver Health Foundation is hosting a community-wide baby shower to collect donations that will give these most vulnerable new residents a healthy start.
The Newborns in Need program collects items year- round to ensure all the babies delivered at Denver Health go home with a “Warm Welcome” bag filled with necessities, such as diapers, clothes, wipes and toys.
Of the nearly 4,000 children born at Denver Health Medical Center each year, 90 percent of their parents live below the poverty level. Many parents have lost their jobs or have little or no insurance coverage. What that means is the infant’s individual needs for toys, blankets and wipes often are trumped by having to pay for gas, rent and utilities.
The choices are heartwrenching, but the new baby is the easiest one to cut from the budget, says Robin Engleberg, the foundation’s program manager.
“We have moms who have to let diapers, that are only wet, dry out and reuse it because diapers are so expensive,” Engleberg says. “It’s a situation that many of us could never imagine a new baby being in.”
Diapers and wipes are at the top of the urgent list, says Engleberg, along with baby lotion, shampoo and packs of Onesies or body suits.
“You can make do with a hand- me-down T-shirt, but there is no substitute for diapers,” and newborns need 10 clean ones a day, she added.
With at least 10 babies born every day of the year, that means the drive needs to collect 70 packs of diapers, 70 blankets — 70 of everything each week.
Car seats are also needed. Organizers say the first crisis needy parents face is not having a car seat to place the infant in for the ride home. Only in its third year, the drive can’t afford to give car seats to every child yet. But cash donated to the cause often go toward purchasing them and other costly items, such as strollers, cribs and high chairs.
Community organizations including youth groups, churches, synagogues, Girl Scouts troops and homeowners associations host baby drives to keep the cupboards full. Larimer Square Walkway, for example, is hosting a drive Wednesday evening, complete with free appetizers and cocktails to encourage contributions.
The foundation’s event features an easy drop-off where volunteers will off-load items from vehicles without motorists having to turn off their ignitions.
“Sometimes it’s the only new things these babies will ever receive,” Engleberg said.
Sheba R. Wheeler: 303-954-1283 or swheeler@denverpost.com
Help newborns in need
Drop off new baby items at Denver Health Medical Center, 301 W. Sixth Ave., from 9 a.m to 2 p.m. Saturday. Needed items include:
Disposable diapers
Baby wash/shampoo
Car seats
Blankets
Onesies/outfits
Newborn socks/ booties/bibs
For more information, visit , or contact Robin Engleberg at 303-602-2988.
Can’t make it on Saturday? Make a donation at the “Spring Baby Shower” at the Larimer Square Walkway on Wednesday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Complimentary appetizers and cocktails will be served. Participants can enter to win a $500 gift bag and get 10 percent off at The Shops at The Walkway good through May 5. RSVP at calbanese@larimerassociates.com, or call 720-254-7444 if unloading help is needed.
