Volunteers are pictured with items collected during a previous Community Baby Shower.

The United Way of Southern Chautauqua County is coordinating donations for its annual Community Baby Shower to help more than 700 children from ages 0-2 who live in poverty.

From April 18-June 15, the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County raises money and collects items for local programs that support at-risk mothers and babies in this community – many of whom cannot afford necessities like bottles, diapers, strollers, pacifiers, bibs, etc. Local businesses, community groups, church groups and volunteer groups host a baby shower, collect items and then drop them off to the United Way office so they can be distributed to local agencies.

“Last year, we collected over 500 essentials for babies and distributed them to 8 agencies that work directly with babies,” said Lindsey Goold, United Way of Southern Chautauqua County director of community impact. “It really makes a difference to these families — having a stroller or a pack-n-play for a newborn, or even extra bottles; plus, it’s just a fun thing to do with your friends and coworkers!”

This year, the Community Baby Shower is co-sponsored by Jamestown Pediatrics, UPMC Chautauqua, Cummins Inc. and Wegmans.

Community members and groups can help by:

¯ Participating in the community baby shower drive at Wegmans in Jamestown, where items can be bought or dropped off in their collection bins from April 18 through April 26.

¯ Hosting a baby shower: Create an event or drop off at your business or organization and bring the essentials for families to the United Way office (208 Pine St., Jamestown, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday) by June 15.

¯ Text BABYUNITED to 41444 to donate directly to our Community Baby Shower campaign. All donations will go towards buying items for the Community Baby Shower.

¯ Donate to UWAY SCC on June 9 during Give Big Chq, a 24-hour online giving day for nonprofits in Chautauqua County. All donations received during the giving day will buy necessities for babies in Chautauqua County. For more information, visit www.givebigchq.org/organizations/united-way-of-southern-chautauqua-county>

For more information, including the Amazon Wish List for the baby shower, visitwww.uwayscc.org/community-baby-shower, or contact Goold at 716-483-156, ext. 201, or email lrensel@uwayscc.org.