A grant has been given toward the Safe Haven Baby Box program in Knox.
California Township Trustee and Co-Project Director Sheri Bartoli told WKVI News that Kankakee Valley REMC recently provided the program with an Operation Round Up Grant in the amount of $4,625. The funds will help install an ADA sidewalk for access to the baby box and alarms for the baby box.
The Safe Haven Baby Box is located at the Starke County EMS Base on Main Street in Knox. It is still under the testing phase and not yet operational. Once testing is complete, the Safe Haven organization will then schedule training with EMTs on the baby box.
A Safe Haven Baby Box legally permits a mother in crisis to safely, securely, and anonymously surrender a newborn if she is unable to care for the child. The mother can utilize the Safe Haven Baby Box at the Knox EMS Base, once operational, by opening a door on an exterior wall. It automatically locks upon placement of a newborn inside the Baby Box. An interior door allows a medical staff member to tend to the child upon an alarm notification following the surrender.
Bartoli has been working with Founder and CEO of Bella Vita, Rebecca Bailey, who is a co-director on this project. Donations are being taken for ongoing fees associated with the operation of the baby box. Donations can be made online at www.shbb.org.
