Newborns in Need Chapter Opens in Hickory, NC

Online, June 28, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Hickory, NC - June 28, 2010 - Hickory and surrounding areas now have a place to turn when help is needed for at risk and needy babies with the addition of a new chapter dedicated to serving the needs of the community.

"I've never been compelled to join a cause as great as Newborns in Need," said Cassie Crampton, Director of the newly created chapter in Hickory. "Starting the NIN Western NC Chapter was a calling I had to follow. I'm confident our community has volunteers and businesses that will be ready and willing to help us fulfill the needs of our babies."

Understanding the stress uninsured and economically challenged families face, Newborns in Need is located in cities and towns across the United States, and fosters community support of the newborn. Providing hand crafted and donated clothing to premature and full term babies, Newborns In Need is a valued vehicle for communities to serve their tiniest citizen.

"Our goal", said Connie Edwards, President of Newborns In Need, "is to be the first response team for families who leave the hospital or birthing center and need a bit of help to get started in providing for their new baby". Presently there are over 50 chapters across the US and NIN is experiencing rapid growth. "The needs across our country are great, although we sometimes fail to recognize the little ways one individual can make a huge difference in the life of someone else. It is not necessary to look for the "big idea", it's the small ones that can have immediate impact. Being sure every baby has warm and clean clothing, diapers, and a safe environment in which to sleep can make the difference in whether that baby is returned to the hospital for treatment for life threatening illnesses or injuries. Our goal is to provide needed essentials free of charge for the first few months of that baby's life and to be sure the caregiver has somewhere to turn immediately after birth.

Volunteers knit, crochet, sew, quilt, and package store bought items that are warm, soft, and appropriately sized to be provided completely free of charge to hospitals, crisis centers, shelters, and pregnancy help centers across the United States. A premature baby's skin is delicate, and many babies require medical assistance equipment while in and out of the hospital. These babies need customized clothing to allow access for medical personnel and are appreciated by parents who wish to dress their baby while they are in neonatal intensive care units. When the baby is ready to go home; clothing will be needed and sized to fit. Many children's stores do not carry premature clothing, or when this clothing can be found, it is often cost-prohibitive to overwhelmed parents who may already be struggling with mounting healthcare bills, daily expenses, and providing for other children in the family.

Newborns In Need has been mentioned across the country in local and national publications and media including Family Circle, Sew News and on Oprah's Angel Network.

The United States has the highest rates of teen pregnancy and births in the western industrialized world. Thirty-four percent of young women become pregnant at least once before they reach the age of 20 -- about 820,000 a year. Eight in ten of these teen pregnancies are unintended and Newborns in Need has distributed millions of dollars worth of donated and purchased baby items through dozens of local community-based agencies and organizations.

The Newborns In Need National office is located in Pfafftown, North Carolina and provides assistance and direction to more than 50 chapters that serve needy babies across the United States. A 501 C 3 organization, Newborns in Need distributed free of charge over 350,000 baby items in 2007.

If you would like more information about this organization, or to speak to someone directly, please call Cassie Crampton at 828-855-0845 or contact [email protected]