Supplies for GOOD+ Fatherhood Initiative

On Wednesday, March 4th, Baby Buggy held its Inaugural Los Angeles Fatherhood Lunch.  We raised nearly $250,000 to fund our work with fathers across the country. Combined with the sum raised from the NYC Fatherhood Lunch in September, we have raised a total of close to $500,000 to help scale-up the Initiative and help even more low-income fathers.

Hosted by Jerry Seinfeld, the event was attended by notable fathers and men including Jason Alexander, Judd Apatow, Jason Bateman, Kevin Hart, Jay Leno, Bill Maher, Dax Shepard, Michael Richards, Bob Saget, James Van Der Beek, David Walton and George Wallace, who attended to show their support and raise awareness for the initiative.

We were also honored to have dads who are participants in our LA-based Fatherhood Programs attend the event to speak with guests about their journeys as fathers.  Alan-Michael Graves, Project Fatherhood Director at Baby Buggy’s long-time partner Children’s Institute Inc., explained how the partnership with Baby Buggy allows non-custodial dads in Los Angeles to have more time to bond with their children, “Because of Baby Buggy, dads in our programs now have access to the key items they need for their children.  Now, dad’s house has a crib, stroller, car seat, and diapers - just like at mom’s house.”  Alan-Michael emphasized that Baby Buggy donations have a direct impact on increased fatherhood engagement and also help them recognize and applaud the achievements of low-income dads as they transform from less engaged fathers into hands-on dads.

Many thanks to Bruce Bozzi and The Palm for hosting and covering all costs for the lunch, to Dwyane Wade for providing the voiceover for our fatherhood video, and to our generous sponsors: Johnson & Johnson, rag & bone, and UTA, with additional support from Esquire.   

We also want to thank YOU, our wonderful donors through Global Giving, who so generously support our work with low-income dads and their families throughout the year.  We are so honored to have you as part of our growing Fatherhood Initiative!

Links:

• Watch Good Morning America cover our Initiative on 3/6

Though the weather outside was frightful, the Circus was so delightful for dads and families from Baby Buggy's Fatherhood Initaitive last week!  Dads participating in our partner programs in the Bronx, Central Queens, and the Rockaways were invited to a night out with their children at the Big Apple Circus thanks to the generosity of our long-time supporter Bloomberg.  Over 70 dads, moms, and children came from all over New York on a snowy evening for an incredible night out at the circus.  Many of the dads came from long distances using strollers donated to them by Baby Buggy and with their children bundled up in Baby Buggy coats, hats, and mittens.  When they arrived, Bloomberg volunteers were handing out warm cups of hot cocoa, mini candy canes, and of course, bright red clown noses for all! 

One little boy, Thomas, kept asking repeatedly, "When will the circus start, Daddy?  When?  When?"  His dad, Louis, explained to us that he had kept this trip to the circus a suprise and only revealed what was in store after he and Thomas strolled by the fountains at Lincoln Center and saw the large Big Apple Circus sign.  Louis then said, "Oh look, there is a circus here tonight...wouldn't that be fun to go to?"  Thomas said, "Yes, it would."  Louis then exclaimed, "Well, guess what, I am taking you to the circus tonight!!!"  Needless to say, Thomas was over the moon about this and happily popped his red clown nose right on the tip of his nose as he excitedly sipped hot cocoa.  Louis shared with us that this circus outing would be a lifelong memory for them and that getting to do special things with his son was something that there was just never enough time or money for. 

In addition to providing essential items to children in need like strollers, winter clothes, cribs, and car seats, Baby Buggy aims to provide dads like Louis with opportunities for meaningful father-child bonding that would not otherwise be possible.  Over and over again, the program leaders from our fatherhood partners tell us that what children need and want most is the gift of time with their dads.  They also tell us that Baby Buggy-donated items (diapers, educational toys, cribs, car seats, etc.) can often be what makes that happen.  For non-custodial dads, for example, we hear repeatedly that when we provide a car seat to a low-income dad in an outer borough, like the Rockaways in Queens, he can then take his child to various activities or doctor's appointments or to school safely in a car.  Sometimes it is something as simple as diapers, a bathtub, or age-appropriate books and toys, so a child can stay over at dad's place happily and safely.

With incredible partners like Bloomberg, we are able to provide these dads with the ultimate gift, a lifelong memory of a special night out with dad.  The children who attended this event with their fathers will never forget watching the parade of camels, the hilarious clowns, the acrobatic jugglers, or the death-defying trapeze artists.  But, what they will remember most is that they watched this incredible show sharing popcorn and corn dogs with their dads. 

Links:

• Click here for more info on how Baby Buggy supports dads