Clayton News Daily

By Jason A. Smith

jsmith@henryherald.com

Representatives of two local groups are hoping babies born in Henry County in the near future will benefit from their desire to assist the hospital.

Henry Medical Center has received donations from the Ladies Auxiliary for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 6330, and McDonough First United Methodist Church (FUMC).

The VFW Wednesday provided nearly $20,000 in bibs for newborns.

Marian Monroe, treasurer of the VFW Auxiliary, came up with the idea for the donation, after the bibs unexpectedly arrived at her daughter's place of work. Her daughter's boss suggested bringing them to Henry Medical, to which Monroe gladly agreed.

"Babies are born every day," she says. "This enables the hospital to do just a little bit more, than they could before."

Each month, more than 200 babies are born at Henry Medical Center.

Monroe says the endeavor has sparked an interest among the 156 members of the Auxiliary, to help more new parents by making donations at other locations.

"A total of 21 cases are going to be dispersed before Christmas, to help needy people in the community," she says.

McDonough FUMC recently gave 100 newborn baby outfits to Henry Medical's Marcia G. Taylor Women's Center.

Sally Chafin is a member of the church, who also sits on the Henry Medical Center Foundation Board. In a written statement, Chafin says the gift grew, in part, from her love of buying baby clothes for others during the holiday season.

"This is always a fun thing to do each Christmas," she says. "And it really does help."

Evelyn Avis, manager of Labor and Delivery at Henry Medical Center, accepted the outfits on behalf of the hospital. In the statement, she thanks the church for the "practical" donation.

"You might be surprised how often there is a need for baby clothes."