Anyone Here Involved in the American Legion?

[JudieDJ]

If so, can you please contact me ASAP. [e-mail]

[abc]

Jack Keny is the local commander. Vernell Marshall is the ladies aux. president

[JudieDJ]

abc wrote:

Jack Keny is the local commander. Vernell Marshall is the ladies aux. president

Thank you for your reply. Here is the "issue". I have worked hard to bring together a Lewisburg SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) awareness day. The National SIDS day is April 18th. I have worked with the local and state Department of health getting "goodie" bags, filled with one piece outfits, bibs, and night lights, along with information about the Tennessee campaign to lay newborns on their backs to sleep. Our goal, albeit last minute, was to give our wonderful packs to the community in front of the Walmart on the 18th. The American Legion already has reserved that time frame. We are NOT looking for donations, we are looking to hand out wonderful information to new and expecting moms. Walmart will not let us "double book". So I am screwed.

[Militay Mom]

Judie, could I make a suggestion? Why not try reaching out to local hospitals with maternity wards? You could make arrangements to go in on the 18th and give out the bags and any literature you have, your bound to reach more new mothers in a setting like that. Local OB's are a good option too especially where the 18th is a weekday and they will be having office hours.

Does Lewisburg have a BirthRight or it's equivalent? That would also be an EXCELLENT way to educate new and about to be Mom's, they are usually very young first time Mom's that need all the help and baby education they can get.

I would be hesitant to do something like this in front of WalMart, I don't think you'll "reach" that many with your message and are more apt to get people approaching you with "can I take one for so and so who just had/is about to have a baby" only to get the free items and out them in their stash until someone they know has a baby.

[CajunCornbread]

JudieDJ,
Bless you in your mission to help others about SIDS. I know a mother-to-be who is due in May. I wonder if you have checked with the Banks in helping with a Billboard?

[agsleader]

Have you tried Walgreens, Dollar General Market, Goodwill, or Kroger to see if they will let you do the handouts there? I know they don't have quite the number of folks going in and out as WalMart, but they are usually fairly accommodating for community/non-profit projects.

[Mikael H]

Militay Mom wrote:

Judie, could I make a suggestion? Why not try reaching out to local hospitals with maternity wards? You could make arrangements to go in on the 18th and give out the bags and any literature you have, your bound to reach more new mothers in a setting like that. Local OB's are a good option too especially where the 18th is a weekday and they will be having office hours.
Does Lewisburg have a BirthRight or it's equivalent? That would also be an EXCELLENT way to educate new and about to be Mom's, they are usually very young first time Mom's that need all the help and baby education they can get.
I would be hesitant to do something like this in front of WalMart, I don't think you'll "reach" that many with your message and are more apt to get people approaching you with "can I take one for so and so who just had/is about to have a baby" only to get the free items and out them in their stash until someone they know has a baby.

I concur and would like to add that with your aid, the new mothers coming in and out of the Marshall County Health Department could better use your information and I would bet they would recieve your gift of information and assistants with respect. After all, I suspect the mothers entering in and out of there need most any information on raising a child since most probably are new to motherhood.

[JudieDJ]

All are great recommendations, and I fully admit to last minute planning on my part. Next year will be much better planned. I really had no idea what all went into this type of event. I do hope to make this a yearly event to honor my son. The reasoning behind walmart is that it has the most "traffic" in the area.

[Militay Mom]

JudieDJ wrote:

All are great recommendations, and I fully admit to last minute planning on my part. Next year will be much better planned. I really had no idea what all went into this type of event. I do hope to make this a yearly event to honor my son. The reasoning behind walmart is that it has the most "traffic" in the area.

I understand it has more traffic on a numerical count but I seriously doubt it does by the "audience" you are wanting to reach.

I wish you all the best in your efforts, I lost a son 29 years ago to SIDS when it was then called crib death and you were treated like a criminal when it happened and people avoided you as if it were contagious for a while. Of my four surviving sons, 3 of them were monitor babies the first 6 months and more of their lives.

[Just Me 123]

JudieDJ,
God Bless You with your mission for SIDS.
Just Me

[Militay Mom]

MyLife wrote:

<quoted text>
I concur and would like to add that with your aid, the new mothers coming in and out of the Marshall County Health Department could better use your information and I would bet they would recieve your gift of information and assistants with respect. After all, I suspect the mothers entering in and out of there need most any information on raising a child since most probably are new to motherhood.

I didn't realize there is a public health clinic here in Lewisburg, but that is an excellent idea for something like this, I am sure the new and expectant mothers there are the neediest.

[Mikael H]

Yes it is located down from the Lewisburg Post Office or off east commerce street in front of Andy's Tire Store. And those mothers I am guessing are for the most part, single non working parents who could use such information and extra assistants. I doubt it would give one the grandstanding effect but if your reasonings for doing so is to educate the population I feel they would be much more receptive there as opposed to Wal Mart.

[CajunCornbread]

JudieDJ will it always be a Spring date, every year?

[Highlander]

It is too bad you couldn't get permission to address the high school students here.
There are SO many of them about to be parents, I am sure they could use the information. Unfortunately these children are the people more likely to have babies and least likely to know how to care for them.
I do think the health department and maybe the ob/gyn offices would be open to letting you drop off some 'goodies' and info to be distributed.
Good luck Judie. I know this is dear to your heart and you are doing this for all the right reasons.

[JudieDJ]

Militay Mom wrote:

<quoted text>
I understand it has more traffic on a numerical count but I seriously doubt it does by the "audience" you are wanting to reach.
I wish you all the best in your efforts, I lost a son 29 years ago to SIDS when it was then called crib death and you were treated like a criminal when it happened and people avoided you as if it were contagious for a while. Of my four surviving sons, 3 of them were monitor babies the first 6 months and more of their lives.

I don't know, there are tons of people who shop there with newborns or are pregnant. I do see your point though.
Perhaps our sons are in a place, playing together . A place where there is no need for war, no need for political debates, a place that there is almost always a rainbow and no one is ever hungry. Social Security isn't an issue and no one cares if you pick up your mail with out make up. A place that no one is ever sick, that no one is ever in pain. A place that everybody waves, a place that dental check-ups are never needed and every child is healthy and happy.....

[JudieDJ]

CajunCornbread wrote:

JudieDJ will it always be a Spring date, every year?

Yes, it coincides with he annual "Spring for SIDS day".

[Militay Mom]

JudieDJ wrote:

<quoted text>
I don't know, there are tons of people who shop there with newborns or are pregnant. I do see your point though.
Perhaps our sons are in a place, playing together . A place where there is no need for war, no need for political debates, a place that there is almost always a rainbow and no one is ever hungry. Social Security isn't an issue and no one cares if you pick up your mail with out make up. A place that no one is ever sick, that no one is ever in pain. A place that everybody waves, a place that dental check-ups are never needed and every child is healthy and happy.....

From your "lips" to God's ear Sweetie!

[Mikael H]

JudieDJ wrote:

All are great recommendations, and I fully admit to last minute planning on my part. Next year will be much better planned. I really had no idea what all went into this type of event. I do hope to make this a yearly event to honor my son. The reasoning behind walmart is that it has the most "traffic" in the area.

You are probably right as far as the number of people you would reach but I believe the number who would find it useful would best be served in the other areas. Whichever you decide good luck and if just one person is helped by your work then indeed it has served it's purpose.

[JudieDJ]

LoveHonorRespect wrote:

<quoted text>
You are probably right as far as the number of people you would reach but I believe the number who would find it useful would best be served in the other areas. Whichever you decide good luck and if just one person is helped by your work then indeed it has served it's purpose.

It is something I wished I had planned better for. No matter what, it will get done, and again, I thank all of you for your ideas.

[SantanaSmith]

Jude...go to tntalk and give me an email...I'll give you the name of a person that went thru the same thing you had to...her baby Zack passed away during a nap a few years ago...I'm sure she would like to be involved.