A Safe Haven Baby Box will officially be making its way to Owensboro after successful fundraising efforts culminated this week, according to Right to Life Owensboro Executive Director Stacey Davis.
The boxes, which must be installed at Safe Haven locations such as a staffed hospital or fire station, have an alarm system that signals a newborn has been placed inside. This allows a parent to surrender their child safely, anonymously, and securely if they cannot take care of the newborn.
As donors offered their support locally, the largest donation came from a family who happened to hear about the Safe Haven Baby Box on the radio.
Eight-year-old Lillie Dunn asked her mom how she could get involved in these fundraising efforts and ultimately pulled in her two siblings to help. The children created pieces of art to sell on social media and raise donations for this effort. Before they knew it, they had raised $5,000.
Julie Dunn, the children’s mother, said “My husband thought maybe we will get $30, and I thought maybe we will get a couple hundred dollars – we never expected it to get this big.”
Soon after the fundraising efforts started, Lillie gave a speech about the Safe Haven Baby Box at her homeschool group, which would lead to several more donations.
“I suggested she give that same presentation to classes at our church — here is an 8-year-old girl talking in front of senior adults and standing up bravely in front of a dozen to 30 people. When it comes from a kid, it hits your heart a little different,” Dunn said. “One of the Sunday school groups let us know we had a large donation coming.”
As soon as the pledged donations were collected, Dunn contacted Davis, letting her know they had raised $8,000 — an amount large enough to cover the remaining cost of the project.
“We are so excited these sweet kids decided to help us fundraise. It’s amazing to see one of our goals being accomplished. I know this will be a great resource for our community,” Davis said.
While Julie is proud of her three children and their efforts to raise money for a great cause, ultimately she is thankful to draw some attention to the potential impact a Safe Haven Baby Box could have for desperate mothers and babies at risk.
“We met up with Stacey at the fire department and I told my kids that they are not going to forget this moment. It will become a core memory for them. I want them to remember that in the future when they see a need, they have the potential to make a difference,” Dunn said.
Raising awareness that this resource is an option in the community is the next goal for this project.
“Monica Kelsey, the founder of the Safe Haven Baby Box, is our keynote speaker for our banquet October 5,” Davis said. “This baby box is an option that supports saving lives.”
The Safe Haven Baby Box will be installed at Fire Station No. 1 at the corner of 9th and Locust streets. The projected completion time for the project is June 2023.
