St. Albans, WV – The public is invited to attend the dedication and blessing of the Safe Haven Baby Box at the St. Albans Fire Department Central Station on Monday, August 12, at 3 p.m. This important event will take place at the Central Fire Station, located at 51 6th Avenue, St. Albans, WV.
The Safe Haven Baby Box project, initiated by the St. Albans Fire Department in collaboration with the City of St. Albans and the Safe Haven Baby Box organization, has reached a significant milestone. The Baby Box provides a safe and legal option for the anonymous surrender of newborns, aiming to prevent infant abandonment and ensure the immediate care and safety of these vulnerable infants.
During the September 2nd City Council meeting, the City of St. Albans committed to partnering with the Safe Haven Baby Box organization to support expecting mothers in the community. The mission of the Safe Haven Baby Box organization is to end infant abandonment by raising awareness of the Safe Haven law and providing anonymous surrender options.
Chapman Technical Group of St. Albans played a crucial role in advancing this project by pledging $18,000, fully funding the installation of the Baby Box. This significant contribution has allowed the project to move forward without financial constraints, ensuring that the Baby Box is available for use sooner than anticipated.
“The principal mission of the fire service is to save lives, and this project will save and protect the most vulnerable among us,” said Chief Carney. “From the beginning, we knew we would need the support of our community to fund the Safe Haven program in St. Albans. The contribution from Chapman Technical Group allows us to move forward at an incredible pace. The St. Albans Fire Department is overwhelmed and thankful for all of those who have donated, and we look forward to continuing to serve all people in and around St. Albans.”
Greg Belcher, PE, Senior Vice President of Chapman Technical Group, commented on the firm’s involvement, “Next year will be our 40th anniversary here in St. Albans, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to give back to this community and to help make this special project a reality.” Chapman Technical Group’s commitment underscores the community spirit in St. Albans and the collective effort to ensure the safety and well-being of its youngest residents.
In addition to the generous donation from Chapman Technical Group, Meeks Rentals/Joot Security has donated and installed a fully automated alarm system at no cost. Autumn Price, Executive Assistant at Joot Security, stated, “JOOT is incredibly proud to partner with the City of St. Albans to help bring the first Safe Haven Baby Box to southern West Virginia. We specialize in providing smart security solutions to connect and secure your life, and there is no greater honor than the opportunity to secure and protect these vulnerable, precious children.”
Monica Kelsey, Founder and CEO of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, expressed her gratitude, saying, “This is a monumental step in our mission to end infant abandonment. The support from the St. Albans community and the dedication of the St. Albans Fire Department is truly inspiring.”
The Safe Haven Baby Box at St. Albans Central Fire Station is the only box located within 130 miles and is the third in the state of West Virginia, and the only one south of Morgantown. The Baby Box is staffed 24/7 by certified Emergency Medical Technicians and supported by a 24-hour hotline (1-866-99BABY1) for women to speak with trained professionals about their options.
For more information about Safe Haven Baby Boxes, email Safe Haven Baby Box Founder/CEO Monica Kelsey at [email protected].
Contact: St. Albans Fire Department 51 6th Avenue St. Albans, WV 25177 Phone: (304) 727-9722
