NJN partners with women’s center

Published 11:30 am Friday, December 10, 2010

The North Jefferson News is joining forces with a local charitable organization in an effort to help babies and mothers during Christmas and beyond.

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The North Jefferson Women’s Center is constantly in need of items such as diapers and other baby products, according to director Nancy Shaffer.

Many of the items donated will be used right away during Christmas, but others will go into the “Sugar Shoppe” located in the center.

At the Sugar Shoppe, mothers and mothers-to-be can purchase items for their children using “mommy money,” or credits earned by doing things like keeping appointments at the center, watching instructional DVDs, participating in Bible lessons and completing parenting worksheets.

“We decided to work with the women’s center partly because it serves all of north Jefferson County — our whole readership and advertising area,” said North Jefferson News editor Melanie Patterson. “The women’s center does excellent work in the community and we are proud to help them in any way we can.”

The North Jefferson Women’s Center meets all pregnancy needs, including giving pregnancy tests with ultrasound confirmation, according to Shaffer. In addition, the center does sexually-transmitted disease testing and it organizes an abstinence program that has reached 2,000 students so far this year.

Shaffer said several families have asked the center for help for Christmas this year.

The center has some specific needs, including diapers in sizes 3 and 4, toys for children up to age 2, bottles and other baby products.

People who donate will also get a gift of their own.

Everyone who donates something to the women’s center will receive a year’s subscription or renewal for $20 (one year) or $35 (for two years). The regular subscription price is one year for $35 ($31.50 for seniors).

In addition, those who donate will be entered into a drawing for one of three prizes: $100 cash, four tickets to the Ringling Brothers circus, or a party platter from Zaxby’s.

Take donations to the North Jefferson News at 1110 Main Street in Gardendale. For more information, call

631-8716.