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Date: Saturday, February 26, 2000
The Neighborhood Christian Center is receiving at least 78 new baby beds for poor families, and it's anticipating more.
Reacting to a baby's death and news reports of a shortage of cribs, two people who asked to remain anonymous donated $2,500 and $2,000 for about 45 new cribs, a day care is contributing another 30 new beds, and a woman purchased three cribs, said JoeAnn Ballard, executive director of Neighborhood Christian Center.
The number of donated beds may rise even more. "We've got a lady who used to work in retail. She's going to go to the big retail stores and see if she can get them to donate beds," Ballard said.
"Before it's over and done with, we think we'll have 100 beds or so donated."
The impetus for the donations was the death of Donesa Herron.
The 6-month-old last week fell off the twin bed she shared with her sister, landed on a floor heater, and died of her burns. Her mother, Tekita Herron, 19, said she could not afford a baby bed.
The demand by impoverished families for affordable or free cribs is always greater than the supply, said officials with various social service agencies who work to meet the needs of the city's poor.
The Christian Chapel Learning Center, 1005 Meagher, is buying 30 cribs for the Neighborhood Christian Center from Toys R Us, said its board chairman, Rev. Melvin D. Wade.
"We just hope it never happens again, another child dies because it doesn't have a bed to sleep in," said Wade, who also is pastor of Christian Chapel Baptist Church.
Some other social service agencies also are receiving more crib donations as a result of Donesa's accident.
Five people called the MIFA Thrift Shop to donate used baby beds, and another donated money for a new crib, said Laura Shy, MIFA's director of development.
Also, the Birthright Bargain thrift store will pick up baby beds from four people who called, and a fifth person brought in a crib, said Lynn Resneck, assistant manager.
To reach reporter Tom Bailey Jr., call 529-2388 or E-mail baileytom@gomemphis.com
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