The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Church celebrates 'Beds for Babies' program

Since 2003, the program has donated hundreds of cribs, mattresses and blankets.

H1N1 shots available Thursday at Hara Arena
Updated 8 min. ago
Hamilton Marine a victim of homicide in North Carolina
2:56 p.m.
News conference called after weekend shooting death
2:53 p.m.
‘Extreme Makeover’ family, friends gather for premiere of local episode
2:25 p.m.
‘Extreme Makeover’ House has become a real home
2:17 p.m.
> More headlines

By Jeremy P. Kelley, Staff Writer 3:18 PM Wednesday, May 13, 2009

BELLBROOK — Bellbrook Presbyterian Church celebrated delivery of the 500th crib in its Beds for Babies program on Mother’s Day, May 11.

But it’s a statement of the continuing local need and of the church’s responsiveness that by the time the celebration was planned and enjoyed, the total had already reached 513.

The Beds for Babies program was designed to provide a crib, mattress and blanket set for any family that could not afford them. It was launched in 2003 after several infant deaths nationally were caused by sleeping adults rolling over onto their babies.

“The mission is one which has been very successful and one in which the church takes great pride,” said Bellbrook Presbyterian member Bill Wiseman. Wiseman said deliveries originally were limited to Greene County, through referrals from Children’s Services, the Family and Children First Council, and Help Me Grow. But after parishioner Debbie Shew secured several grants, the program expanded into Montgomery County.

It took three years for the church to celebrate delivery of the 200th crib, in September 2006. In the 21/2 years since, the pace has picked up, averaging a crib delivered roughly every three days.

Several congregation members pitch in, soliciting donations, storing materials, making pickups and deliveries and working the phones. They also keep an eye out for lightly used cribs at garage sales and thrift stores.

Wiseman especially credited Shew, who he said works tirelessly for the program and for the ALS Foundation, which deals with Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“Debbie is a very brave woman who has faced her devastating disease head on,” he said.

The church, which has been located in Bellbrook since 1828, and at 72 W. Franklin St. since 1858, is always looking for Beds for Babies volunteers. Anyone with questions, donations or a need can call the church office at 848-2378.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2278 or jkelley@daytondailynews.com.

Up-to-date  community news is now right at your fingertips.

Share this article