Over 2200 families in Baby Buggy's service network live(d) in the Rockaways, Staten Island, and Coney Island. These vulnerable families continue to struggle with the aftermath of Sandy--the loss of homes, jobs, a sense of security for their families. Also, a few of our program centers in the Rockaways and Coney Island were severely damaged. Rebuilding continues but there is still much too. We continue to work tirelessly to get them the supplies they need: diapers, food, clothing, and cribs.
Families served by a number of programs in Baby Buggy's network were hit hard by Hurricane Sandy and continue to be displaced due to flooding and/or losing their homes to fires. A few of our program centers, which serve as a safe haven for their client families, were also severely damaged by the storm and are struggling to rebuild. Many Sandy-affected families continue to have great need of diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, blankets, coats, warm clothing and winter gear, and portable cribs.
So many parents have donated their children's gently used coats, boots and blankets for the benefit of their neighbors in need. While we are able to secure donations of clothing, blankets and toys, we are struggling with a few critical categories of goods: diapers, wipes, formula, baby food and cribs (these must be new and few companies have excess inventory of these items). We have systems in place for distribution through our service network, we just need funding to purchase these items.
Founded in 2001 by Jessica Seinfeld, Baby Buggy's mission is to provide vulnerable families with items they need to keep their children safe, which feels more critical than ever before in the aftermath of Sandy. Our work has an immediate and direct impact on our client families; by enrolling in programs like Father's First and Early Head Start, these parents have made a commitment to making a better life for their children and families and this storm has been an enormous, unaticipated challenge.
