nurses for newborns: The nonprofit works to prevent infant mortality and neglect by providing pregnant women and families with young infants award winner with in-home nursing visits and critically needed baby items.
corporate hero: Nurses for Newborns applauds World Wide Technology for generously donating time, talent and treasure in helping serve more than 2,500 babies each year.
[meet jane mclaughlin of st. louis]
Q| How long have you been a volunteer?
A| About three years.
Q| What made you interested in this pa rticular cause?
A| I worked as an R.N. in hospitals when I was younger and later at Ob/Gyn offices for nearly 25 years. When I retired, I wanted to volunteer in some capacity. Honestly, I hadn’t heard of Nurses for Newborns; I found out about it when I was searching online for opportunities. I love babies and thought this was a great way to help them out. I always tell my old co-workers to refer any mothers they know who need assistance to Nurses for Newborns because it is such a great organization.
Q| What kind of volunteer work are you involved in?
A| There is a group of about six of us who go in every Monday to help with whatever needs to get done. We have all become great friends and really enjoy working with each other. We sort through all the donations, wash clothes if needed, and make packages for new moms that include items like clothes, diapers, bottles and formula. The nurses always tell us that the expressions on the faces of these moms when they get their packages is priceless. The nurses are the true heroes. They go above and beyond the call of duty and really do whatever it takes to get these women what they need. We provide clothing for siblings, too. We try to take care of as many children who need it as we can.
Q| If you could do anything for the organization, what would it be?
A| I would just make sure it had all the fundraising help necessary to continue supplying its services. There is such a need for people who can’t afford the basic items we offer. I wish Nurses for Newborns had the means to take care of every baby in the area who would otherwise go without.
in the words of nurses for newborns: “Jane is a longtime volunteer who, even though she has bad knees and walks slowly, comes every week to make certain donated clothing is cleaned to be sent out to the babies we serve.”
[meet the nurses for newborns board]
front row: Hon. Jeanne Kirkton, Nanci A. Bobrow, CEO Melinda Ohlemiller, board president Teri Murray, Linda Dougherty, Donna Erbs. Middle Row: Suzanne Marshall-Caby, Jennifer Funk, Lynn Schenck, Eileen Hamburg, Sherry Moschner, Genie Mueller, Wendy Faust. Back Row: Lance Greunke, Dan Green, Rich Gallaher, Mike Taylor. Not pictured: Kyle Attarian, Chris Carter, Laura Ellenhorn, Hon. Patrick Dougherty, Gregg Lemley, Regina McWilliams, Thomas Shaner, Denise Campbell Whitener and Sen. Eric Schmitt
[Know a standout volunteer? Nominate them to be featured at townandstyle.com/reachingoutawards or email tellus@townandstyle.com for more information.]
Volunteer Photo: Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton
Board Photo: Bill Barrett