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The original item was published from 11/15/2016 8:05:13 AM to 11/15/2016 8:08:10 AM.
News Flash
Social Services
Posted on: November 15, 2016[ARCHIVED] Project Manger
It is that time of year again. The Department is asking for monetary donations for our Safe Sleep Campaign. Remember this money is used to educate families and to purchase cribs for those in need. Please feel free to give the below information to those who may be looking for a local charity to support this holiday season.
On behalf of the City of Fredericksburg Department of Social Services, I would like to wish you a Happy Holiday. This month our Department is celebrating our four year anniversary of our “Safe Sleep Campaign”. We kicked off this campaign in 2012 with the intention of educating parents and caretakers on the importance of a safe sleep environment for their infant. Many are not aware that suffocation is currently one of the leading causes of death for children under the age of one. The majority of these suffocation fatalities occur in the sleeping environment.
Over the past four years each worker at our Department has been assessing the sleep environment of the infants whose families we work with, and then educating the caretaker on what are safe sleeping practices. As part of our commitment to the community, the Department gives portable cribs to those families who do not have a safe sleeping area for their infants. Over the past two years, we have given away over 200 portable cribs and educated many caregivers. These cribs are available free of charge and to any family in the planning district. All of the funds for this project are collected through donations and fundraising by our Department. We are in desperate need of your help to continue this campaign.
For this holiday season our Department is launching Project Manger. The purpose of Project Manger is to have our community join with us in this initiative by making a monetary donation to our Department. Your donation would be used specifically to purchase additional portable cribs to help ensure every baby sleeps safely. If you would like to fund the purchase of a portable crib (average cost $60) please contact me at (540)372-1032 ext. 247 or by email at Shannon.hartung@dss.virginia.gov. Checks may be written to the City of Fredericksburg DSS.