Items that have been collected so far for the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County’s Community Baby Shower are pictured.

Donations are being accepted for the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County’s Community Baby Shower.

Thirty-eight percent of families with children living in Chautauqua County experience financial hardship, making it difficult to afford the necessary and often expensive items required to care for babies. To help these families thrive, United Way of Southern Chautauqua County is bringing together local businesses and agencies by collecting essential baby items during its annual Community Baby Shower.

Through June 8, the United Way raises money and collects items for local programs that support at-risk families 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.

The 2023 Community Baby Shower sponsors include UPMC Chautauqua, James Prendergast Library, Jamestown Pediatric Associates, Lane Women’s Health Group, and Wegmans.

“Last year, we collected over $5,000 worth of necessities for babies and distributed them to 10 agencies that work directly with families with children,” says Nicole Gustafson, United Way of Southern Chautauqua County community impact manager. “These donations are an easy way for the community to help babies and families in Chautauqua County at a really pivotal point in their lives.”

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 through June 2.

¯ 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.

¯ Buy items on the 2023 Community Baby Shower Amazon Wish List. The list includes top needs from community agencies, and purchased items can be directly shipped to the United Way office.

¯ Donate to the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County on June 8 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. Visit www.givebigchq.org/organizations/united-way-of-southern-chautauqua-county to donate.

For more information, including the Amazon Wish List for the baby shower, visit www.uwayscc.org/community-baby-shower, or contact Nicole Gustafson, community impact manager, at 716-483-1561, ext. 200, or at ngustafson@uwayscc.org.