Gift of Life's Operation Christmas Bottoms Diaper Drive Kicks-Off on November 8

MONTGOMERY, AL — One in three families in communities like Montgomery across the country will struggle to provide enough diapers to keep their baby clean, dry and healthy, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A family is considered to be experiencing diaper need when they don’t have enough diapers to adequately change their baby at healthy intervals.

To address this need, Gift of Life Foundation (GOL) will hold its Operation Christmas Bottoms Diaper and Baby Wipes Drive, from November 8 through December 13. The annual event supports families enrolled in GOL programs who need diaper assistance, and for a second year, GOL is teaming up with Cumulus Broadcasting to launch the drive with a live radio remote on Friday, November 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Gift of Life parking lot located at 1348 Carmichael Way.

According to the National Diaper Bank Network, the average baby can use up to 12 diapers a day, which can cost a family up to $150 a month or roughly $1,800 a year. That can be tough for a family whose income meets the federal poverty guidelines.

“Low-income, working families who receive federal assistance programs like SNAP or WIC can use that support to help with the rising cost of food that we’re all experiencing. But those safety net programs are not set up to assist with diapers,” said Mona Davis, GOL Marketing & Community Outreach Director.

“Babies who don’t have enough diapers face more health risks. Because moms or dads might try to stretch their diaper supply by leaving a baby in a diaper a little longer than they normally would, it increases baby’s risk of having diaper rashes and urinary tract infections,” she said. "The diapers and baby wipes collected during Operation Christmas Bottoms help Gift of Life families in nine Alabama counties who may experience a temporary diaper need at some point during the year. It decreases the stress parents might feel from having to miss work and keep their baby out of daycare due to a lack of diapers or having to decide to forgo household bills or necessities because they need money to buy diapers," Davis said.

Those who would like to donate diapers at the kick-off event can come to the GOL office and drop off new packs of diapers and baby wipes between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Regular diaper donations will be accepted at the office Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

For more information about diaper need and the diaper drive, call (334) 399-0158 or visit https://golfound.org/operation-christmas-bottoms

QUICK RECAP

WHAT IS DIAPER NEED: https://golfound.org/operation-christmas-bottoms

DATES AND TIMES FOR DIAPER DRIVE: NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 13/ M-F/ 9 A.M.-4 P.M.

WHAT'S NEEDED: DIAPERS IN ALL SIZES (ESPECIALLY NEWBORN AND SIZE 1, 5 AND 6)

GIVING OPTIONS: DROP OFF ITEMS AT GOL BUILDING/SHIP VIA AMAZON OR OTHER RETAILER TO OUR BUILDING/DONATE ON OUR WEBSITE HERE

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Join the Gift of Life Community Action Team for a Candlelight Memorial in honor of International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day on October 15, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at the Gift of Life Foundation, 1348 Carmichael Way, 36106. Anyone who has lost a pregnancy, infant or a loved one who died in childbirth is welcome to attend. We will honor them with a special bell ringing and recitation of their names, and celebrate their lives through readings and music culminating with the light of candles at 7 p.m. in unity with those all around the world who have shared this experience. Those who would like to share their experience will be given space to do so at the event. LED candles will be provided. For more information, visit the Gift of Life Foundation at www.golfound.org or call (334) 399-0158.

The Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) has announced that Gift of Life and several organizations around the state will receive a share of more than $8 million in federal funds awarded to the State of Alabama to support home visiting programs through the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education. GOL Executive Director Regina Traylor spoke to WSFA yesterday about our home visiting programs Parents and Teachers and Nurse-Family Partnership, and how the funding benefits families in underserved areas.

https://www.wsfa.com/.../alabama-gets-federal-funding.../...

MONTGOMERY, AL- Earlier today, the Gift of Life Foundation celebrated the achievements of a record 156 program graduates during its 2024 Virtual Graduation Ceremony. The annual event highlights moms and dads who have completed their 18-month Gift of Life programs, which include Nurse-Family Partnership, Parents As Teachers, Mobile Family Coaching, Parenting Forward for Teens, and Fathers in Action.

The virtual live event, hosted by GOL Executive Director Regina Traylor, on YouTube and Facebook, featured Prattville mom Kacy Cripple and her compelling story of grief and resilience. Cripple served as this year's graduation speaker and is enrolled in our Nurse-Family Partnership Program.

The program also featured the presentation of GOL's highest distinction -- the Martha Jinright Resilience Award-- to five outstanding graduates. Named after Gift of Life’s first executive director, Martha Jinright, the Resilience Award recognizes graduating program participants who have overcome a significant challenge to achieve personal success as defined by meeting or exceeding the goals they have set with their nurse home visitor, parent educator or family coach.

Award nominees must have demonstrated progress in their program over the past 18 months by implementing the knowledge provided through lessons and program materials. They also must have gained a level of self-sufficiency that positively reflects the goals set by themselves and have demonstrated the resilience that epitomizes the values promoted through Gift of Life’s mission. Winners will receive a certificate and a monetary award for their achievement. They will also be featured in a commercial airing on local stations and in a digital campaign.

Our 2024 recipients of The Martha Jinright Resilience Award are:

Tawanna Nevels, First Place

Mobile Family Coach Kathy Lightsey

Nobie Ford, Second Place

Mobile Family Coach Lawanda May

Victoria Wilson- Third Place

Nurse Home Visitor Shea President

Rosie Washington - Fourth Place

Nurse Home Visitor Kawana Jackson-Tarbert

Nickifia Jackson- Fifth Place

Parent Educator Laura Collins

For more information about Gift of Life programs, visit our website at https://golfound.org/

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Gift of Life is spotlighting the importance of active, engaged fathers throughout the month of June across our social media platforms. Research consistently shows that father involvement leads to positive outcomes in children's cognitive development, academic achievement, and social skills. By actively participating in their children's lives, fathers contribute to a sense of security, self-esteem, and overall happiness. Whether it's through playing, reading, or simply spending time together, fathers have a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on their children's lives. Encouraging father involvement is essential for the holistic growth and flourishing of the next generation. To learn more, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @GOLFound.

The Gift of Life Foundation recognizes National Nurses Week and salutes our nurse home visitors and nurse supervisors for all the incredible work that they do to support, encourage and educate our families. Our nursing team is making a difference and are advancing our mission to improve birth outcomes and women’s health in our community. We salute Regina Traylor, Executive Director; Kathy Pounds, Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) Nurse Supervisor; Katrina Cuffey, NFP Nurse Supervisor; and Nurse Home Visitors Katie Knight, Laura West, Angela Johnston, Patricia Lockhart, Shae President, Brittany Barnes, Brittany Wingard, Kristi Gay, Krista Williams, Tina Ledbetter, Pamela Jacobs, Kawana Jackson-Tarbert, Alex Moncrief and Melissa Houghton. THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR OUR FAMILIES!

May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness about the emotional well-being of parents before, during, and after pregnancy. This observance highlights the importance of mental health care for parents, as well as the need for support and resources to ensure their well-being. Gift of Life will share maternal mental health information across our social platforms throughout the month to support moms in our community.

March is Social Work Month and Gift of Life Foundation salutes our outstanding team of social services professionals for their skill and dedication to our families. Our parent educators and mobile family coaches are making a real difference in the lives of moms and babies across Central Alabama. They are an important part of fulfilling our mission and they are invaluable members of the GOL family. We salute Aniya Russ-Hinton · Ashley Carver · Autumn Ellis · Bailey Wilson · Catrice Chandler· Denise Coulter · Dueronica Harrington · Jolanda Sheppard · Kathy Lightsey· Kelly Humphrey · Laken Little · Laura Collins · LaWanda May · Melissa Spivey· Tchanavia Toney & Yakira Taylor. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

Gift of Life’s Nurse-Family Partnership was recognized with $112,000 in funding from the Children's Trust Fund of Alabama for its work to prevent child abuse and neglect in our community. GOL Executive Director Regina Traylor joined directors and program leaders from community organizations serving families in Districts 2,3,4, and 5 of the state who received a share of more than $6.4 million in grant funding. Grantees are recognized for work that provides education, training, and community resources that build strong families, reduce neglect and keep children safer.

MONTGOMERY, AL — One in three families in communities like Montgomery across the country will struggle to provide enough diapers to keep their baby clean, dry and healthy, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A family is considered to be experiencing diaper need when they don’t have enough diapers to adequately change their baby at healthy intervals.

To address this need, Gift of Life Foundation (GOL) will hold its Operation Christmas Bottoms Diaper and Baby Wipes Drive. The annual event supports GOL families who need diaper assistance, and this year, GOL is teaming up with Cumulus Broadcasting to launch the drive with a live radio remote on Friday, November 10 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Gift of Life office located at 1348 Carmichael Way.

 According to the National Diaper Bank Network, the average baby can use up to 12 diapers a day, which can cost a family up to $150 a month or roughly $1,800 a year. That can be tough for a family whose income meets the federal poverty guidelines. 

“Low-income, working families who receive federal assistance programs like SNAP or WIC can use that support to help with the rising cost of food that we’re all experiencing. But those safety net programs are not set up to provide assistance with diapers,” said Mona Davis, GOL Marketing & Community Outreach Director.

 “Babies who don’t have enough diapers face more health risks. Because moms or dads might try to stretch their diaper supply by leaving a baby in a diaper a little longer than they normally would, it increases baby’s risk of having diaper rashes and urinary tract infections,” she said.

The diapers and baby wipes collected during Operation Christmas Bottoms help Gift of Life families in nine Alabama counties who may experience a temporary diaper need at some point during the year. It decreases the stress parents might feel from having to miss work and keep their baby out of daycare due to a lack of diapers or having to decide to forgo household bills or necessities because they need money to buy diapers.

 Those who would like to donate at the kick-off event can come to the GOL office and drop off new packs of diapers and baby wipes. Operation Christmas Bottoms will run through December 18 and diapers and wipes will be accepted at the office Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

 For more information, call (334) 399-0158 or visit https://golfound.org/operation-christmas-bottoms