As Mother’s Day approaches on Sunday, May 10, our thoughts turn to the importance of all mothers in our lives.
Without our mothers, we wouldn’t be here! Many of you reading this — like myself — probably were fortunate to come from families with a mother and a father. Our families were able to support the children with food, clothing, shelter, and much love.
Likewise, my husband and I were able to support our own children, although we appreciated the assistance our parents provided along the way.
Today, there are women who find themselves pregnant and alone. They may not have the support of the father of their unborn baby, let alone have help from family and friends.
Where can they turn? One organization I support is Pregnancy Helpline, Inc. of Madison. This is a non-profit organization that provides life-affirming, compassionate care such as giving accurate information, material support, and community referrals to women, men, and families before, during, and after pregnancy. Some of Pregnancy Helpline’s services include:
• 24-hour Helpline: Providing pregnancy and post-pregnancy help 24 hours a day on its Helpline at 608-222-0008. The volunteers answering the calls listen in a non-judgmental and caring manner. They allow the client to make her own decision and assure confidentiality.
• Sharing Center: The Sharing Center offers free baby items for women and families such as baby clothes newborn through size four, diapers, formula, books, toys, breast pumps, and equipment (strollers, high chairs, bathtubs, etc.). All items are donated, and the stock varies each week. The Sharing Center is located at 1862 Beld St. inside the Catholic Multicultural Center in the lower level off the dining room. Because of COVID-19, the Sharing Center is now closed. However, when it is open, it is available for people on Saturday mornings, except holiday weekends, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and Tuesday evenings from 5 to 7 p.m. For more information, check the Pregnancy Helpline website (https://www.pregnancyhelpline.net/about-us/sharing-center.cfm).
• Diaper Bank: Pregnancy Helpline offers the first Diaper Bank in Madison. It is a member of the National Diaper Bank Network. The bank helps families by collecting and distributing free diapers to meet the need in the community. The bank is located inside the Sharing Center. Each year Pregnancy Helpline holds its DiaperDash, a family-friendly, 5K run, two-mile walk to help fund the Diaper Bank. This year’s sixth annual DiaperDash is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26.
• Baby Care Packages: Pregnancy Helpline will deliver a “welcome baby” gift to mothers and babies at the hospital. Call Pregnancy Helpline at 608-222-0008 to request a care package after the baby has been delivered.
• Safe Sleep Madison Program: The Safe Sleep Program is committed to making sure all babies in the Madison area have a safe sleep environment. Parents can request a Graco Pack ’n Play portable crib, fitted crib sheet, and Halo SleepSack wearable blanket.
Please join me in supporting mothers and families in need by donating to Pregnancy Helpline. What a wonderful Mother’s Day gift this would be to be made in honor of the mothers in your life.
Financial donations can be made on the Pregnancy Helpline website (https://www.pregnancyhelpline.net/donate/) or checks can be mailed to: Pregnancy Helpline, Inc of Madison, P.O. Box 5261, Madison, WI 53705. Items needed can also be donated.