Jordyn* received diapers about 6 months earlier than he would have if it wasn’t for the 2007 McKesson grant.  His mother, Lianne*, is a single mother working hard to support her family. She is a train conductor for the MBTA and her job requires her to work split shifts, one in the morning and one at night.  Jordyn is her only child and is 9 months old.  She is grateful he is such a happy, easy going baby.  She says that he does everything he is supposed to do for his age and he does it well.  Jordyn is pulling himself up and she thinks he’ll walk before he crawls.  For Lianne, the increase in gas and food has hit her family hard.  Because she has to go back and forth to work two times per day, her commute is costly.  When asked about the economy she says that she has definitely felt the impact and her stress level in worrying about bills and food has increased significantly.  She says that “Baby Basics is such a blessing.  When living on a fixed income, getting diapers is one less stress.  You know it is always there and you don’t have to search the house for change to buy them. “

 

Teale* is a mother of two whose babies, Sam* and Whit,* have given her a run for her money. She works hard as a part-time teacher and full-time mom while her husband goes to school. It is tough for them to keep all the bills paid and all the mouths fed sometimes. It was hard for her to go to the WIC office and to even ask for help. That’s where she
heard about Baby Basics and learned that she qualified to sign up for free diapers. Just a few months later, she had been accepted into the program and couldn't be more grateful.

 

She insists that when she and her husband get back on their feet, that they will help others in similar situations. Says Teale of her experience with Baby Basics, "working hard and not being able to provide your baby what he needs, can be very tough. Sacrifices sometimes have to be made. Some parents are forced to choose less food, less heat, less diapers. Baby Basics helps keep me from having to make those decisions. They have been so generous. Sometimes, we get more than diapers; coats, hats, baby wipes and with it all; smiles and respect. It’s hard to ask for help but this special program doesn't make me feel like I am begging. They call to remind us about distribution and it’s always nice to hear a welcoming voice. Times are tough but there are people who can make a difference."

 

Holidays can be stressful for any family. Approaching the holidays this year is particularly difficult for Kristen* and her family.   A single mother of three, Kristen has had a difficult year. Her 9 month-old son, Evan, has been hospitalized several times already in his short life with different viruses. “He’d have a high fever, and then he would become dehydrated and need to get to the hospital for an IV,” Kristen told us recently. “He spent time in the hospital with bronchiolitis, and he needed nebulizer treatments because he wasn’t getting enough oxygen.”

 

Kristen was grateful for the excellent care he received, and is happy to report that he has been home and in good health for over a month.   “He is rolling around, playing copy-cat, he loves singing, and clapping. He is a very happy baby.”

 

“I took all of my vacation time and extra days in my maternity leave (earlier this year)… so I was taking days, weeks off without pay” to be with her son. She also has 9- and 14-year-old daughters. “I have no idea what I will do for Christmas,” she confided, “I thank you for Baby Basics for the diapers. (With everything else going on) at least I don’t have to think about buying diapers!”

 

For families that we help who are working to support themselves and struggling, Baby Basics is a constant.   This time of year especially, that constant makes a huge difference.   We thank you, our supporters, for making this program a reality in South Boston.

 

No one is feeling a greater sense of relief and appreciation about our increased ability to help then the families themselves. Fatima*, a mother of two, was extremely appreciative upon learning that her second child, seven-month old Angela*, will be a beneficiary of the grant: “I already knew how great the program was, because I had participated in it when my son was young.  When I applied for my daughter, I was told there was a long waitlist.   Thankfully, I waited only a month.  When I got the call that we had made it off the waitlist, it was the best feeling!  It’s a lot of savings for me- hundreds of dollars a year- and I am so thankful for it and for all the work Baby Basics does.  My friends with young children who live outside of South Boston are so jealous, because they wish they had a similar program in their community.  I cannot thank you enough.”

 

Fatima’s words echo the sentiments we hear every time we connect with the families we serve, whether it be at a diaper distribution or during one of our monthly phone check-ins with the Baby Basics participants. The need of these families is so real and so great; but, it is their gratitude that is so overwhelming.

 

Please consider making a donation to help support these families in need. 100% of donations, unless earmarked by the donor to cover administrative costs, go to the purchase of diapers.