Panama Central Schools Holds Strong To Another Successful Community Baby Shower Collection
Pictured left to right: Chrissy Smith, Carolina Delahoy, Amy Rohler, Pam Warner, Danielle Cook, Emily Harvey, and Laura Holmberg.
The average middle-income family will spend $12,350 annually on child related expenses in their baby’s first two years of life. Financial challenges for working families make it difficult to purchase even the most basic essentials for babies. United Way of Southern Chautauqua County found a fun way to engage local individuals to help moms of new babies start off on the right foot.
In the month of April, Panama Central Schools collected over 300 items and $200 cash spearheaded by Pam Warner, a local 5th grade PCS School teacher. She encourages all of the students and extra-curricular programs within the school system, local churches, and businesses to be part of this amazing programming. Pam stated “Our local baby shower event has grown over the years and it is remarkable to see our community’s support, especially from our students here at Panama Central School. We are just so pleased as we know that great student development starts at the early stages of childhood. We love supporting this initiative and look forward to collaborating on more projects with the United Way.”
United Way of Southern Chautauqua County annually coordinates community baby showers to gather essential items that will give our community’s infants a better future. Local worksites and organizations host a baby shower to benefit the community and collect items that promote safe sleep and healthy lifestyles.
“United Way of Southern Chautauqua County is so thrilled with the collection thus far.” Says Cynde Johnson, United Way’s Resource Development and Marketing Coordinator. “We have collected from the Zonta Club of Jamestown, Panama Central Schools, and a few more are scheduled for pickup to include Lane Women’s Health.”
These items will be distributed to local agencies that work one-on-one with mothers to provide education, case management and work routinely with new moms: Salvation Army’s ANEW Center, Chautauqua County Department of Health & Human Services’ Maternal & Infant Health Program, Creche, Jamestown Community Learning Council, YWCA’s TEAM Program, and Catholic Charities’ WIC Program.
To learn more about community baby showers, visit: uwayscc.org or call 483-1561 to learn how to host one. To view all the baby items collected, follow United Way of Southern Chautauqua County on Facebook.