GEMS

COMMUNITY: GEMS Nurses’ Legacy Provides for Children

by Kent Von der Vellen

In 1976, Medina Hospital nurses became concerned when they noticed infants leaving the hospital with families who could not afford the supplies needed for their newborns.

The nurses decided to help by founding Birthcare.

Since its founding, Birthcare has worked to ensure the safety, warmth and health of children from newborns up to 5-year-olds

To get assistance, it takes only a photo ID to verify Medina County residency, no financial information is required. A few voluntary demographic questions are asked for the Birthcare database and to aid in applying for grants.

Though diapers, wipes and baby clothes are consistently the highest in-demand items, Executive Director Barb McCoy said there is a need for the larger-sized diapers, trainers and toddlersized clothing. During winter months, warm toddler-size clothing also is needed.

In addition to everyday items like clothing and diapers, Birthcare provides formula, baby food, hygiene items, wash cloths and related items, cribs, and car seats. Due to insurance regulations, they cannot accept used cribs or car seats and ask donors to instead make a cash donation to allow them to buy new ones.

Appointments are not needed, and parents or guardians can pick up needed items once a month through curbside service by calling the organization’s number upon arrival. A volunteer will deliver requested items to the car. Distribution hours are Monday and Tuesday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday, noon to 2 p.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m. to noon. A scholarship endowment fund was created in 1997 to help Birthcare clients. The scholarship is meant to help clients earn certification for work or to attend a trade school or college. Birthcare has awarded 76 scholarships including two totaling $4,000 for 2020.

Birthcare operates with 60 volunteers and a board of directors. McCoy began as a volunteer in 1989 and became executive director in 2010.

McCoy said that one of their challenges is finding funding for upgrading to new technology. They still do a lot with paper records and would like to update their website.

For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3olFvNC or https:// bit.ly/2M1WBmf, call 330.722.1190, or e-mail birthcaremedina@aol.com.

Kent Von Der Vellen is a 20-year Medina resident. He has been a volunteer for various youth sports teams, is a member of the Medina Lions Club, and, with his wife, Kim, founded the Jakob F. Von Der Vellen Memorial Foundation. Contact Von Der Vellen by e-mailing Gems@BlakeHousePublishing.com or by calling 330-421-0863. Learn what other area nonprofits need by visiting Giving Hearts at JoyofMedinaCountyMagazine.com.

Editor’s note: Information is from the nonprofit’s most recent filings with the Ohio attorney general.

Birthcare of Medina County, Inc.

620 E. Smith Road, Unit E-5A Medina, Oh. 44256 330-722-1190 www.birthcaremedina.org

Date of formation: 07/04/1976 Organization type: 501(c)(3)

Description of organization’s purpose: We provide emergency assistance with basic needs for families with young children: diapers, formula, baby food, car seats, cribs, clothing, etc.

Reporting Year: 2019 Reporting Start Date: 1/1/2019 Reporting End Date: 12/31/2019 Total Revenue: $96,960.00 Total Expenses: $58,509.00 Total Program Expenses: $36,236.00 Percent of Total Expenses: 62% Total Assets: $308,537.00

Director or Board member List (10):

Meg Benninger Sally C. Pap Joanne Weiler Marie Mirro Edmonds Michele Fusillo Sandra Bevec Mary Kase Diane Bugner Barbara McCoy Mary Corall