Debbie Warner (left), director of Lifepointe Family Center in London, thanks Marge Berchtold for dropping off a vanload of donated baby items courtesy of Sts. Simon and Jude Church in West Jefferson.
(Posted Jan. 10, 2018)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Debbie Warner was moved to tears one day recently when a local church representative dropped off a vanload of supplies at Lifepointe Family Center.
In flowed boxes of diapers, baby wipes and formula and bags brimming with baby clothes, maternity clothes and blankets.
“It warms my heart when I see people bring things in,” said Warner, Lifepointe director.
“Donations like these help get us through the year,” added Hayley Hall, assistant director.
Located in London, Lifepointe is a faith-based, pro-life non-profit that offers emotional and material support to individuals and families in crisis pregnancy situations.
The center, run completely by volunteers, does not charge clients for services or supplies. That’s why donations are so important.
“If we don’t have them, we can’t help,” Hall said.
“I know there’s need, and I know there’s more need than I see,” Warner said.
In 2017, Lifepointe helped 56 new clients and 960 children and gave away 7,840 diapers. The center has been in operation for eight years.
In addition to providing emergency supplies, Lifepointe also offers parents chances to earn “baby bucks” to spend on items like cribs, strollers and swings in the center’s baby store. Participants work through an educational program that teaches the basics of child care, discipline, nutrition, budgeting and more. They earn baby bucks for each section they complete.
Participants also can earn baby bucks by volunteering at the center, attending church services, writing in a weekly journal, going to obstetrician and pediatrician appointments, obtaining a library card, opening a bank account, and completing their GED, among other things.
Kara Shaffstall of South Solon is one of the center’s newest clients. She found out about Lifepointe a few months ago when she was having trouble affording diapers for her 6-month-old.
“I thought I’d check it out. They are really friendly ladies. My husband thinks so, too,” Shaffstall said. “He was really happy because he could pick out clothes and things we couldn’t afford.”
Shaffstall earns baby bucks by reading books and keeping a journal. She is a regular church-goer, so she earns bucks that way, too.
Warner said she and her fellow volunteers want clients to know that the center is there for them.
“We tell them, ‘You can do this. You’re not alone. We’ll be your backbone’,” Warner said.
Lifepointe Family Center is located at 109 S. Main St. in London. Hours are: Mondays, 1-4 p.m.; Tuesdays, 4:30-6:30 p.m.; and Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For details, call (740) 852-9730 or email lifepointefamilycenter@yahoo.com.
Local churches, silent partners, and a board of directors lend support to the center.
Donation and volunteer opportunities at Lifepointe Family Center
Lifepointe Family Center in London accepts new and gently used baby items (infant to 3T) and maternity items. Office supplies and equipment also are needed.
Needed items:
First Aid kits
Diapers – all sizes
Formula
Baby food
Baby shampoo
Baby lotion
Diaper bags
Bottles
Teething toys
New baby toys
Strollers
Portable play pens
Cribs
Crib mattresses
Crib sheets and blankets
Swings
Monitors
Baby clothing
Toddler socks
Plastic grocery store bags
Modern maternity clothes
Personal care items for mothers
Baby accessories
Baby safety items
Baby magazines
Pregnancy books
Office supplies
File cabinets
Coupons for diapers
Volunteering:
Volunteers are needed to assist women when they seek help from the center. Training is required for this position.
Also, volunteers are needed to clean the center, sort, fold and stock clothing, and assist with fundraising. No training is required for these tasks.
