New partnership puts local families first
Photo
Left to right, Brian Anderson, branch manager, Sue Whitson, assistant vice president of Marshall and Ilsley Corporation, Cheryl Peterson, marketing and communications relations. Employees at downtown M&I Bank responsible for putting collecting pack-n-play and baby supplies through donations for a joint partnership program with Rock County Health Dept where families in need with infants will be given products.
JANESVILLE — Diapers. Formula. Baby bottles.
Blankets and crib bedding plus plenty of baby apparel to keep the baby dry after repeated mishaps throughout the day.
The list of what parents need for a new baby is longer than a back-to-school supply list. It’s expensive yet necessary.
In an effort to get local families the supplies they need for a happy, healthy baby, M&I Bank and the Rock County Health Department are partnering to help families who are pregnant or parenting an infant.
The bank will collect new baby items through Sept. 30 at eight of its branch locations in Janesville, Beloit, Edgerton and Evansville.
Janet Zoellner, nursing director at the health department, said the collaboration is important because nursing services deals with the whole person.
“We’re excited to have the opportunity to work with M&I Bank, which is able to provide some marketing expertise and also some gifts and incentives for the clients we serve to help them get off to a healthy start.’’
Mary Willmer-Sheedy, market president of M&I Bank in Janesville, explained said the bank every year looks at programs that impact the local community.
“As we evaluated this one, we felt it was incredibly unique,’’ she said.
“Local families—especially young families—are challenged with providing basic necessities for their children. So we felt the community and we could give a healthy and positive start and send a strong message that kids matter here in Rock County.
“Kids and families are the basis for everything we do every day. So if we could provide this ‘goodie bag’ of necessary items, it’d really open the door for these nurses, who do an incredible job.’’
The new joint project, announced Tuesday, has the potential to benefit many young families in Rock County.
A suggested list of donations include: diapers, receiving blankets, oral thermometers, bath kits, safety latches and outlet covers, baby rattles, teething rings and baby dishes.
A special collection, Drop-N-Drive Saturday, has been scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 18, when items may be dropped off from 9 to 11 a.m. at bank drive-through lanes at the eight M&I branches.
Items will be distributed to families participating in the health department’s Healthy Families First program that provides in-home nursing services to families who are pregnant or parenting an infant younger than 1. There are no income restrictions to receive services, and home visits are provided at no cost.
“We are excited to have this partnership from M&I Bank in Rock County,” Zoellner said.
“Our nurses visit families in Rock County throughout their pregnancy and baby’s infancy to provide valuable support during a time of great family transition. Nurse visits are a core service of the Rock County Health Department because we know their benefits last a lifetime,’’ she said.
Sep 7, 2010 at 9:06 a.m.
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Oh for pete's sake. This isn't a government program funded by taxpayers, you are not being forced to donate and yet you're complaining. This is a good program. How many new parents are stressed about having everything needed for baby? All of them. Not to mention the stress involved with parenting. This program allows some of that stress to be relieved. Happy parents, happy baby. I think it is a great idea.
Sep 7, 2010 at 5:21 a.m.
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always got to turn something good into a bad thing,if this is not costing you money or anything else,then dont worry about it,if these people want to do this,let them,if it makes them happy to do this,dont rain on their parade.im very sure the people you are helping are very grateful.
Sep 6, 2010 at 11:16 p.m.
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MooShoo...yes, my previous post specifically addressed "after the fact."
I agree with the child being cared for.
Prior to that...my point was...it takes two to tango...but most won't admit, the female ultimately has more rights after the "deed."
Sep 6, 2010 at 11:11 p.m.
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Dear Johndoe, I think your arguments are after the fact if you are talking paternity. The child is here, so real issue is making sure the child is healthy and cared for.
Sep 6, 2010 at 10:54 p.m.
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After the fact, that is. They both have choice before the deed.
Sep 6, 2010 at 10:52 p.m.
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But yet he has no say in the choice part of it.
Sep 6, 2010 at 10:51 p.m.
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" make it a felony for a man to make a baby and not support it."
And a female?
A man can't make it by himself
Sep 6, 2010 at 9:14 p.m.
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Cynical. I sure hope you are a strong pro-choicer.
Either that or make it a felony for a man to make a baby and not support it.
Sep 6, 2010 at 8:25 p.m.
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Come on, all you do gooders. If you can't afford to have a child, DON'T. It's that simple!
Sep 6, 2010 at 3:08 p.m.
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LOL Seriously? Put your baby in a drawer but don't sleep with him? A joke, right? Cosleeping is very safe and highly recommended when done properly. Obese, drunk, or have sleep issues? Don't cosleep. Use common sense.
I hope this program includes breastfeeding education and they don't hand out free samples of formula like they do in the hospital. I mean, if their intentions are truly to help young families get their children off to a "healthy start", then breastfeeding info & education should be a given.
Sep 6, 2010 at 11:11 a.m.
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Sandman- WHAT does a baby NEED? What does a toddler NEED? In other countries (and the United States 50 years ago), children didn't NEED a wind-up swing, a walker, a bouncy station and 50 outfits. They slept with parents or in a drawer with layers of blankets, had a few outfits and spent a lot of time laying on the floor (which helped them crawl and move earlier). Does a preschooler NEED a new pair of shoes ever season? Does a child in grade school NEED a Wii or a cell phone? Silly questions because none of these are truly needs, but, to some people they truly are. Perspective is everything, and, sometimes people simply don't think that their children "need" the same things that you or I may. PARENTING CLASSES should be taught in high school. You are far more likely to be a parent than to use a lot of the subjects taught, and, to get kids to think about this realistically with cost in mind (not just how cute babies are) would be a great help to our economy, IMO.
Sep 6, 2010 at 11:09 a.m.
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Care for others and feeling warm and fuzzy are two of the things that make us human. Are you two Klingons?
Sep 6, 2010 at 10:37 a.m.
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My goodness, Sandman, do you ever have anything positive to post? I think this is an excellent program. Reread the article, NO INCOME LIMIT! So high, middle and lower class benefit from this program. Not just the poor welfare cases you seem to be stuck on! Having a baby is the most wonderful experience in the world, why deny this pleasure to someone because they cannot afford luxuries such as a pack-n-play? Bottles, diapers, blankets, clothes, rattles, outlet covers, thermometers, onsies and so on can be bought at Dollar General or Family Dollar for just one whole dollar!! Maybe you should go spend $8 and drop one thing off at each bank. It will make you feel really good instead of being such a grump!!!
Sep 6, 2010 at 10:26 a.m.
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I agree! This just enables cradle to grave care by others. It makes the givers feel warm and fuzzy.
Sep 6, 2010 at 9:52 a.m.
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Gee, if you can't afford to have kids then maybe you should wait, huh?
Because if you can't afford to have a baby, then you can't afford a toddler, a preschooler (oh yeah, that's why we have four-year-old kindergarten for you!), a grade schooler (oh yeah, that's why we have to provide school breakfast programs), a juvenile in high schooler, a college student (community college, that is), or to pay your part of a wedding.
I mean, it's not like we don't know where they come from and can't do something to postpone having them. So why don't you PLAN AHEAD?
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