Plumbers & Pipefitters 562 helps ‘Sweet Babies’

By MARY ANN HOLLEY
Correspondent

Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562 have once again shown their benevolent side, donating mounds of diapers, wipes and baby blankets to Sweet Babies, an organization that provides underprivileged moms with basic needs when bringing home their new baby.

Last week, officers and members had the privilege of delivering the donations at Sweet Babies, an organization founded at SSM-St. Mary’s in 2010 by a hospital volunteer who overheard nurses talking about purchasing baby items for new moms who had little to nothing to go home to with their new babies.

The volunteer couldn’t bear to see the young mothers going home with nothing to care for their babies. Collections poured in, but the need was always greater than the resources.

Local 562 stepped up to make sure the new moms have what they need to care for their babies. The union also presented a check for $2,500.

Because of their generous donations the “Sweet Babies bag” for new mothers now holds more than 30 items of clothing and supplies including hats, socks, bibs, burp cloths, receiving and baby blankets, books, 60 diapers, a small package of baby wipes and something warm for baby to wear.

“Giving back to the community is eye opening, and we appreciate all those that take the opportunity to donate when they can,” Local 562 Business Manager John O’Mara said. “It is truly amazing what people can do when they join together to make our community a better place.

Supporting community charity programs has long been a priority for Local 562.

Each month, O’Mara said, Local 562 members makes suggestions on various not-for-profits and select the organization with the most need as their monthly charity. “Our members step up every month to help a charity, doing it because that’s one of the things our union members do. We help our communities.”

Local 562 Staff Assistant Abbie Feldt contacts the selected organizations to see what is needed most, and organizes donations and deliveries. She says the extra work is all worthwhile.

“Everyone enjoys the deliveries,” Feldt said. “It’s so nice to help those in the community, but it’s sad to see so many social service organizations struggling.”