"Love Wins" team adds two new collection sites for B.A.B.E. program
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) With 'Love Wins' signs visible around Whitley County, shown early this spring, below, members of Columbia City United Methodist are taking action in the community with various projects. One team recently developed two new collection sites for the B.A.B.E. program.
By Roger Metzger
Collection centers now are available in three Whitley County communities in support of the B.A.B.E. (Beds and Britches, Etc.) Program serving young families of the area.
Two new locations for collection boxes are the Churubusco Child Care Center and the South Whitley Public Library. Columbia City collection points are the United Methodist Church (upstairs foyer and lower-level narthex), at The Peabody Library and at the B.A.B.E. store, 103 North Chauncey Street. 
Two of the new collection points, arranged through support of a “Love Wins” team at the Columbia City United Methodist Church , are meant to help address needs in those communities. Last year, B.A.B.E. served 242 clients from Churubusco and 281 from South Whitley – part of the 3,389 clients assisted in 2007.
“Beds & Britches, Etc. / B.A.B.E. is very excited to have so many people, churches, organizations and businesses willing to support this worthwhile program that is reaching the families within Whitley County,” says Shawn Ellis, program director.
“With gas prices at an all-time high, and food prices continuing to rise, families are in more need today then ever before. B.A.B.E. has noticed an increase in the number of diapers we’re distributing, not to mention the numerous other items that we provide, and sometimes, it feels as if we can’t keep up with the demands of the littlest members of our community.”
B.A.B.E. provides incentives for pregnant women to follow through with important prenatal care and preventative services for their infants and children by encouraging a healthier lifestyle.
Specific program goals are to:
-- decrease incidence of low birth-weight babies in Whitley County ,
-- increase awareness of the need for early and ongoing prenatal care, childhood immunizations and well-child physical examinations,
-- promote use and compliance with various family health services in the county and,
-- increase self-esteem and self-sufficiency through a coupon-earning system.
Young parents collect coupons to bring to the B.A.B.E. Store by taking their young child or baby to get its needed physical care. If their child goes to its own doctor for a checkup, the mother can ask for a coupon to bring to the store. If that child is taken for its immunization vaccines, a coupon is given, and the same occurs with visits to the WIC Program for food and good prenatal, postnatal and baby care.
Many other care programs visited by parents and a baby make that parent eligible for coupons.
The coupons can be spent one by one at the store or they can be accumulated to buy something larger than clothing, diapers or sippy-cups. By giving advance notice, those coupons could buy a baby bed, a stroller, a highchair, etc. It just depends how the parent wants to spend the coupons or what is needed in the home for children or baby. All these items are new.
“B.A.B.E. has been there for families of single parents, teen parents, stay-at-home moms and other families who desire to care for themselves and their little ones,” notes Ellis.
“Too many times we take for granted that families are making it just fine, when in fact they’re struggling to make it day in and day out. Please take the time to stop at your local store and purchase some diapers, wipes, pull-ups, bottles, onesies, socks, underwear, bibs, or any other kind of infant/toddler item that you know a parent would need to help in the growth of their child. Then, after you’ve purchased your item, please take it to the nearest drop-off point. It’s the goal to collect as much as possible so that B.A.B.E. can continue to serve the youngest generation.”
Ellis says she loves the word generation because it represents age, years, knowledge, accomplishments and many other things.
“Most importantly, the young generation is meant to learn from the older generation, and the older generation is meant to teach and love the younger generation. The Love Wins B.A.B.E. Group from the Columbia City United Methodist Church is a generation that is in full support of B.A.B.E. and the littlest members of our community and has taken on a project that is sure to reach many women, families and little ones in the community,” adds Ellis.
“With their love and support, they have set-up these new drop-off points for donations of infant and toddler items. Whether you’re among the young or older generation, you will have an easier opportunity to give to a program that serves so many.”
The B.A.B.E. incentive program also is available in many other communities in Indiana to help infants and children have a healthier life. Various institutions have helped with operation start-ups, then grants and community contributions have helped fund the program.
In Columbia City, store hours are Wednesday from 2 to 6 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, call the B.A.B.E. Store at 244-2820 or the Columbia City United Methodist Church at 244-7671, extension 239.