HEALTHY BABIES DAY IN ALBION SEPTEMBER 28

Press Release

September 17, 2024

PHOTO CAPTION: Parents listen to advice during last year’s Healthy Babies Day. This year it will be held from 10-noon September 28 at Harrington Elementary School. The free event is sponsored by Albion Health Care Alliance with support from an Albion-Homer United Way grant.

ALBION-Information on raising healthy babies became more available due partly to grant money from the Albion-Homer United Way. The Healthy Babies Day 2024 event on September 28 is offered by the Albion Health Care Alliance, with many sponsors helping make this a successful day. This is the 16th year for this community health event.

This free event, held from 10 a.m. to noon at Albion’s Harrington Elementary School, 100 S. Clark St., is designed for expectant parents or those caring for a child ages newborn to 18 months.

Information on breastfeeding, nutrition, and how to have babies safely sleep is all part of the educational component of this annual event. In addition, information on child growth and development and health resources will be available in the community. Albion branch of Milk Like Mine consultants will provide free lactation counseling. Families and caregivers are encouraged to attend the breakout sessions available at
Healthy Babies Day. 

According to Amanda Cheladyn of the ACA, “The Calhoun County Health
Department will lead one breakout session, providing attendees with important safety information and tips for those caring for infants and toddlers.”

In collaboration with the Albion Rotary Club, Healthy Babies Day will also host the author of the brain game.  ‘This book provides information about child brain growth from birth through age three.  Attendees will be taught songs, activities, and behaviors that will help foster their child’s intellectual and social development,’ Cheladyn added.

In addition, there will be many giveaways, including diapers, sleep sacks, first aid kits, and many more items for parents and caregivers of infants up to 18 months. Helping financially support non-profits is at the core of the Albion-Homer United Way’s mission. According to Marcia Starkey, AHUW executive director, raising funds through donations continues throughout the year.

Starkey said there are several good reasons to donate to the local United Way, including that donations fund Albion and Homer-specific programs and funding decisions are made by a local board. Donor lists are never shared with other agencies, and payroll deductions make donating easier.
Donations can be mailed at any time to AHUW P.O. Box 55, Albion, MI 49224, made on-line at http://www.albionhomeruw.org or by contacting Starkey at 517-499-2563.

AHUW board members are Carolyn Amos, Donisha Brewer, Art Kale, Michael Leskowich, Isabell Nazar, Jenny Wilbur, Eddie Williams, and Shane Williamson.