State Organizations to Shower Newborns in Need with Infant Items

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- Each year, nearly 19,000 Oklahoma infants are born into poverty. The families of these infants have trouble affording basic needs like diapers and baby wipes, blankets, bottles, clothing, car seats, strollers and more.
To help these families and infants in need, the University of Phoenix in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Norman, Reasor’s, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, TulsaPeople, KRAV 96.5 FM, Abuelo’s Restaurants and American Bikers Aiming Toward Education are sponsoring the 5th annual “Open Your Hearts to Newborns in Need” events in May.

“There are no public funds available to buy most of these goods for newborns in poverty,” said Karen Jacobs, OKDHS volunteer coordinator, “and, even with the generosity of donations from the public, we most often receive goods for children who are out of the infant and toddler stage. The early years of a child’s life are so vital, and items specifically for newborn care can help to provide the healthy start that all children deserve.”

In an effort to shower these newborns in need, the public is invited to donate baby items to the state’s largest baby shower. Donated items could include disposable diapers, booties, bibs, hooded bath towels, washcloths, shirts, bottles, baby powder, receiving blankets, pacifiers, bouncy seats, coats and hats.

Unwrapped items may be dropped at any University of Phoenix location, including the Oklahoma City campus at 6501 Broadway Ext., the Tulsa campus at 10810 E. 45th St., Suite 103, and the Norman campus at 1370 N. Interstate Dr. Donations also will be accepted at TulsaPeople, 1603 S. Boulder Ave.

There are upcoming events at Abuelo’s restaurants and Reasor’s grocery stores, where donations may be delivered.

Abuelo’s is hosting a Cinco de Mayo event from noon to 9 p.m. May 3 at 3001 W. Memorial Rd. in Oklahoma City and at 10909 E. 71st St. South in Tulsa. Abuelo’s annual celebration will include several bands, snack stations, a children’s area, and the Fiesta Zone, where people may purchase raffle tickets and win prizes by spinning the Wheel of Fun. Proceeds benefit Newborns in Need. For more information, call (405) 755-2880 in Oklahoma City and (918) 249-1546 in Tulsa.

Reasor’s will host their event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 17 at each of their Tulsa area locations. KRAV 96.5 FM, and KJSR 103.3 FM, will have live remotes at Reasor’s Owasso location and the 41st and Yale store in Tulsa.

A new organization participating this year is ABATE. ABATE of Tulsa will be collecting baby items that will be donated to Newborns in Need. ABATE is a motorcyclists' rights organization dedicated to preserving individual freedom and promoting safety. They support rider training, safety and educational programs and encourage members to become active in their local communities.

“This statewide baby shower is a unique, exciting way to make a real difference in the lives of many Oklahoma newborns who are in impoverished families. Our children are our most cherished resource, and so it is vital that we do what we can to provide them with what they need to thrive and grow,” stated Lori Santiago, vice president, Oklahoma campuses of University of Phoenix.

For more information on any Newborns in Need event, please call Santiago at (918) 622-4877.

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