BRITISH COLUMBIA AND YUKON KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
4 th ANNUAL PRO-LIFE BABY SHOWER
PURPOSE: A CLOTHING & SUPPLY DRIVE TO BENEFIT PRO LIFE ORGANIZATIONS WHO HELP MOTHERS-TO-BE AND FATHERS WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE CHOOSE ABORTION, AND THE UNBORN WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE BE DENIED THE RIGHT TO LIFE.
WHEN: THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF JANUARY, 2012.
WHERE: AT YOUR COUNCIL'S HOME PARISH (ES)
HOW TO CONDUCT:
1. Identify and consult with local Pro Life groups who would benefit from a clothing and toy drive.
2. Obtain permission from your Pastor to set up a baby bed or play pen in the entrance or Foyer of your church.
3. Find a baby bed or play pen to use. Most councils will have a member who has a used bed in nice condition no longer in use or a Pack-&-Play.
4. Beginning Saturday, December 31, 2011 and continuing throughout January 2012, ask your parish Priest to announce, or get permission for one of your council members to announce to the congregation that you are conducting a Pro-Life Baby Shower with the proceeds to be given to the Pro-Life organization you are working to support. Also try to get an announcement into the weekly bulletin. Ask parishioners to donate new or gently used baby or maternity clothing, baby and pregnancy supplies, diapers, bottles, formula, etc.; be sure to have a place for monetary donations. Be sure to "seed" the baby bed with some nice articles of clothing and supplies – this always helps! Make a nice sign to put up, so people who miss the announcements will know what the bed is for.
5. At the end of January, take all the items and donate them to the Pro-Life organization(s) you are working with. Make sure you are meeting their specific needs A sample list for a layette is included with this notification as a guide; it was supplied by the Victoria Birthright Office
6. Document the items donated along with a fair market value of the items (retail may be used for the new items only).
7. Complete and send (mail or e-mail) a Pro-Life Report Form to the undersigned nolaterthanApril1,2012.
8. Please conduct this activity in addition to your regular Pro-Life fundraisers held during this fraternal year. We would be very glad to see 100% of the councils across British Columbia and Yukon participate in this very important activity.
Vivat Jesus!
John Coppard, State Pro Life Director 707, 777 Blanshard St Victoria, BC V8W 2G9 (250) 508-3446 john.coppard@yahoo.com
Sample layette
1 Laundry basket/bassinette (laundry basket preferred since it holds more items) 1 diaper or bottle bag (few people donate diaper bags but these are a staple; it is best if they have a change pad included About a dozen disposable diapers 1 board book 1 soft baby toy or rattle (no hard or removable parts like plastic eyes) 6 smallest size sleepers + 2-3 of the larger sizes as well 6 under shirts or diaper shirts in 3 or 6-month sizes A selection of new or gently used baby outfits (rompers for summer/ warmer items for winter) 1 baby towel + 2-4 baby wash cloths 2-3 receiving blankets Snowsuit for a winter baby A larger jacket or snowsuit for a summer baby A couple of hats (winter or summer weight depending on the season) 2-4 pairs of socks 1 new baby quilt 1 afghan if available Diaper wipes, toiletries, feeding supplies, snugglies as available 1-2 knitted baby sweater outfits crib sheet as available - new or gently used 1-2 pair booties 3-4 bibs It has been suggested that furniture items not be accepted since there are codes that govern these and that render older models illegal which then raises liability issues. The foregoing was provided by the Victoria Birthright Society and is based on Birthright International’s model. Organizations in your community may use different models. Further, the local outlet may simply wish to receive the donated items, inspect them, and assemble layettes on their premises; so it remains an important point to touch base with them and coordinate efforts to achieve the best results.
