(SAVANNAH, Mo.) — In 2021, the National Safe Haven Alliance reported that 22 of the 31 infants abandoned in unsafe locations nationwide did not survive by the time they were found. Heartbreaking statistics like these have mobilized the Andrew County Community Builders to help install a Safe Haven Baby Box at the Savannah Rural Fire Department Station 1.
The Savannah community is rallying to finalize funding for the box, which has already been purchased, although additional financial support is still needed to complete the installation. Besides installation costs, the group needs funding to acquire and set up the alarm systems essential to the Safe Haven Baby Box’s function.
What Is a Safe Haven Baby Box?
The Safe Haven Baby Box is designed to provide mothers in crisis with a safe, anonymous option for surrendering their newborns when they feel unable to care for them. The box has features that ensure the baby remains warm and protected while notifying first responders almost instantly. Once the baby is placed inside, the alarm system alerts nearby medical professionals and firefighters, who can then respond promptly to provide care.
These boxes are a compassionate alternative to unsafe abandonment, offering mothers a way to relinquish their newborns safely without fear of judgment. Installed in a secure area of a fire station or hospital, the Safe Haven Baby Box offers both privacy and immediate help, potentially saving lives.
Local Efforts and Support for a Safe Haven Box
Steve Smith, co-chair of the Andrew County Community Builders, expressed the group’s excitement at being so close to realizing this vital project. “This dream started with Sarah Chamberlain, who was a nurse at Mosaic. She talked to me and some other folks, and we got it rolling,” Smith shared. “For us to be able to actually make this happen, it became a mission for us and our group, and we made it.”
Chamberlain, whose career in healthcare inspired her to advocate for a Safe Haven Baby Box in Savannah, hoped to offer struggling mothers a secure and compassionate alternative to abandonment. The project has since become a personal mission for Smith, Chamberlain, and the entire Andrew County Community Builders team, who have worked tirelessly to see it through.
Installation and Alarm System Funding Still Needed
Although the box has already been purchased, the remaining obstacle is funding its installation and setting up the alarm systems that notify authorities when a baby is placed in the box. These alarms are critical to ensuring rapid response times, a key feature of the Safe Haven Baby Box system that could mean the difference between life and death.
The Andrew County Community Builders recently hosted a fundraising event to help close the funding gap. For those unable to attend the event, donations are still welcome through the organization’s online platform. Donors can select “Savannah Firehouse” in the drop-down menu under “Please direct my support” to ensure their contributions directly support the Safe Haven Baby Box project.
Why Safe Haven Baby Boxes Are Important
Abandoning infants in public spaces, where they are exposed to the elements and other dangers, remains a pressing issue. Safe Haven laws exist in many states, allowing parents to surrender newborns at designated safe locations, but the stigma and fear associated with in-person surrender can deter some parents from seeking help. By providing anonymity, Safe Haven Baby Boxes eliminate some of these barriers, offering a discreet and legal means to relinquish an infant safely.
Each Safe Haven Baby Box is equipped with temperature control, cushioning, and a silent alarm that alerts first responders when a baby is placed inside. Once the box is secured, first responders can respond quickly, ensuring the infant’s safety and care. For many infants, this system has been life-saving.
In addition to addressing the immediate safety needs of newborns, these boxes represent a community’s commitment to providing humane options for mothers in crisis. For Andrew County Community Builders, the installation of the Safe Haven Baby Box at Savannah’s fire station signifies compassion in action, addressing a local need with a life-affirming solution.
Community Commitment to a Life-Saving Mission
The Andrew County Community Builders have received widespread support for their mission. Smith and his team see the project as not only an answer to a specific need but as part of a broader community commitment to supporting parents and children. In rural areas like Savannah, resources for mothers in crisis are limited, and the availability of a Safe Haven Baby Box could provide peace of mind for individuals facing difficult decisions.
Once funding for installation and the alarm system is secured, Savannah’s Safe Haven Baby Box will join the growing network of similar boxes across the United States. These efforts underscore the national Safe Haven Baby Box movement’s mission to provide a reliable, anonymous alternative to unsafe infant abandonment.
How to Support the Safe Haven Baby Box in Savannah
The Andrew County Community Builders are reaching out to the public for help in raising the final funds needed for installation. Contributions from the community will be essential to the project’s completion, and donations of any size are welcome. Supporters can visit the organization’s online donation platform, ensuring to select the “Savannah Firehouse” option to direct their contributions to the Safe Haven Baby Box project.
By helping to fund this initiative, community members can play a vital role in safeguarding newborns and supporting mothers who find themselves in crisis. Smith expressed his gratitude to all who have contributed thus far and emphasized the importance of ongoing support to make the Safe Haven Baby Box a reality in Savannah.
A Compassionate Response to a Critical Need
With statistics showing that unsafe abandonment often leads to tragic outcomes, the installation of Safe Haven Baby Boxes provides a proactive, compassionate response. The Andrew County Community Builders’ efforts in Savannah reflect the community’s willingness to support vulnerable families and offer a life-saving option for those in need.
The Safe Haven Baby Box at the Savannah Fire Department Station 1 will serve as both a refuge and a message to mothers in crisis: there is a safe, anonymous, and compassionate choice available. In the words of Smith, “It’s not just about a box. It’s about saving lives and supporting those who need it most.”
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