OKEECHOBEE — On Saturday, May 15, Okeechobee Healthy Start collaborated with local agencies including Our Village Okeechobee, Abiding Hope Worship Center and Hibiscus Children’s Center to host a Baby Needs Drive-Thru. Due to COVID-19, they could not host this event as originally planned in person, but wanted to still ensure local families were able to receive education and available items safely, via this drive-thru event.

The event allowed any pregnant women and/or families in the community with children the ability to receive education on baby care, safe sleep methods, baby nutrition and car seat safety. Completing their training, they were able to reserve their choice of two free baby items from a car seat, a crib, a pack n’ play, diapers and/or formula. At the drive-thru event, more than 200 local families were able to pick up their two reserved items, facemasks, prenatal vitamins, food for their family and local resources all for free, without even getting out of their vehicles. Food was provided via a recent grant Healthy Start and Our Village were awarded as well as a generously large donation by Raulerson Hospital.

Healthy Start wants to thank all of those that helped make this community event possible. They are very thankful for all the volunteers, food and time provided by Parents As Teachers, Raulerson Hospital, and Helping People Succeed that allowed this event to be such a success.

Healthy Start is a free home visiting program that provides education and care coordination to pregnant women and families with children under the age of 3. The goal of the program is to lower risk factors associated with preterm birth, low birth weight, infant mortality and poor developmental outcomes. If you are interested in receiving Healthy Start services or any other services in the community, please contact the Healthy Start office at 863-824-0448.

If you were unable to attend this event, please make sure to keep an eye on the Healthy Start Facebook page for any other upcoming events. Healthy Start has everything from a Father’s Day dance event, virtual paint parties and educational baby showers. If you would like to be a part of Healthy Start’s General Membership or simply donate to their mission, please call their office at 863-462-5877 or stop by. Healthy Start is located in The White House Plaza at 1132 S. Parrott Ave. in Okeechobee.