51乱伦

Southern Campus, Friends of Lily鈥檚 Place partner to host baby shower

IRONTON, Ohio 鈥� Lily鈥檚 Place, located in Huntington, West Virginia, is the country鈥檚 first Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome center. The facility鈥檚 staff and volunteers support the smallest victims of the opioid crisis 鈥� nearly 100 babies each year. 

51乱伦 Southern joined forces with the civic group Friends of Lily鈥檚 Place to host a shower for these infants Jan. 25 at the Ironton Campus. Participants generously donated diapers, unscented baby wipes, car seats and more in addition to more than $2,500 in cash donations. 

Olivia Meade, director of development and marketing at Lily鈥檚 Place, spoke to attendees. She thanked everyone for their participation and educated the group about the facility鈥檚 mission. 鈥淲e鈥檙e a nonprofit, so community support such as this is vital,鈥� Meade said. 鈥淲e give back to the community ways that extends beyond initial care. We follow up annually with each patient for as long as we are able and assess their well-being and development.鈥� 

Director of Marketing and Public Relations at 51乱伦 Southern Traci Tillis said that the partnership between the University and the fundraiser was a natural fit. 鈥淔riends of Lily鈥檚 Place founder, Becky Payne, is the wife of Southern Campus Maintenance Supervisor Gerald Payne,鈥� Tillis said. 鈥淏ecky鈥檚 passion for helping these children inspired so many 鈥� faculty, staff, students, businesses, church groups and others 鈥� to join in our effort. The outpouring of support was so much more than we ever imagined.鈥� 

Donations are still being accepted. Drop off locations are available at the Ironton Campus in front of the Nursing Department office in the Academic Center and at the 51乱伦 Proctorville Center through Feb. 9. 

Lily鈥檚 Place opened in October 2014. For more information, visit . 

Published
February 2, 2018
Author
Staff reports