Each week, Meredith Moss profiles a non-profit organization in our community in need of special items. If your group has a wish list you would like to share with our readers, contact Meredith: MMoss@coxohio.com
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Since 2001, the local nonprofit organization known as Hannah’s Treasure Chest has provided care packages of children’s clothing, toys, equipment and books at no cost to local families in need. Today, nearly 50 local nonprofits, school districts and social service agencies partner with the organization to request care packages for the children they serve. Once the requested items are packaged, the agencies’ staff members deliver them to the families.
“Partnering with these organizations allows us to make a positive impact for nearly 7,000 children each year in Butler, Greene, Montgomery and Warren counties,” said executive director Sarah Williams. “Providing these care packages allows families in need to redirect their limited resources towards other basic needs, such as food, housing, transportation and child care. As you can imagine, this takes a lot of stress off of parents and other caregivers, and helps the children along the road to success.”
Along with new or gently loved children’s clothing and gym shoes, the charity is particularly in need of equipment for babies and toddlers.
Here’s what they need most:
• Boys and girls clothing for ages 2-10
• Sturdy gym shoes, all sizes
• Musical baby toys and rattles
• Batteries, size AA, C, D
• Toddler gates
• Highchairs
• Potty seats
• Baby bathtubs
• Clorox wipes and Mr. Clean Magic Erasers for cleaning toys and equipment
• Fixed-side cribs (no drop-sides)
• Convertible car seats made in or after 2010
The charity asks that you carefully check the expiration date on car seats for safety, and will only accept seats that were manufactured in or after 2010.
“Many people don’t realize that car seats expire after approximately 6 years,” Williams said. “Extreme temperatures in a closed car cause the materials to become dangerously brittle over time. Our cutoff date ensures that families will have at least two years of safe use for their child’s car seat.”
The charity’s most up-to-date list of critical needs is on their website at http://bit.ly/HTCWishlist.
Items may be dropped off at Hannah’s Treasure Chest’s warehouse, 124 Westpark Road, Centerville, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. After hours, items may be bagged or boxed and left in the large, blue donation bins outside the building. For hygiene and safety reasons, all items must be clean and in good condition.
OTHER WAYS TO HELP
Stop in to Paintbrush Pottery from 5 to 9 p.m. on April 30 for an April Showers Baby Shower party. The shop will donate 20 percent of all sales over $15 to Hannah’s Treasure Chest. Bring new or gently loved baby items and shower Hannah’s Treasure Chest to help new and expectant moms give their babies a good start in life. Refreshments will be served, and goody baskets will be raffled.
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