Clothing, blankets, toys have gone out to newborns in need

The Tiny Hearts Chapter of Newborns In Need (NIN) recognized their first anniversary at a luncheon on Wednesday.

A year ago Chapter President Linda Kollmeyer and her sister, Co-Work Coordinator Debbie Thomas, decided the area was in need of a program like NIN. By June of last year the organization had gathered a staff of volunteers and was beginning to make deliveries to a number of areas.

NIN, a national organization, provides clothing, blankets, toys and other items babies need to hospitals, public health centers, and other organizations who cater to babies who are sick or in crisis situations. The Tiny Hearts Chapter is one of only a few NIN chapters which provides free obituaries for families who have lost a baby.

The group now serves 10 counties, ranging from St. Francois County to Wayne County and more. In less than a year, NIN has delivered more than $20,000 worth of goods.

Most of the clothing and blankets provided are made by volunteers, using donated material from businesses, donors and volunteers.

“We do have to do fund-raising,” Kollmeyer said. “We don’t like to do it, but we do some once in a while.”

“The families really appreciate getting the clothes,” said Mabel Swink of the Farmington Parents as Teachers organization.

Swink said NIN has provided roughly 20 different outfits for babies during the last year, and said the families who receive the items are not able to afford proper clothing.

“Something that’s really fun is, the next home visit, when we see the babies wearing some of the clothing,” Swink said.

Linda Boyle is one of the 75 active volunteers, and said she thinks “of every little baby that will be kept warm” by the items she makes.

“I appreciate Linda (Kollmeyer) and Debbie (Thomas) getting this started for this area,” Marleen Johnston, another volunteer, said.

For more information, or to volunteer or make a donation to NIN, call Thomas at 573-756-1444.