Page 2 - Martin Downs Bulletin - June '20

Page 2, Martin Downs

Babies Need Diapers from page 1 purchase diapers and other supplies such as baby wipes The program is a broad umbrella of support and
and formula, is on their website (mchealthystart.org). All services provided by a strong collaboration of community
Federal Highway in purchases are shipped directly to the coalition’s office for partners and agencies who have established a system of
the Mayfair Plaza. distribution. An additional bonus is that when you sign care in Martin County that ensures that all women have
“We felt that being up for the Amazon Smile program, .5 percent of all your access to prenatal care and continue to provide that
in a location that purchases will be donated to your designated charity. support for infants, children up to the age of three. Their
was close to bus Gift cards for major stores like Target or Walmart or Visa/ vision is for every mother and family to be supported so
routes and major Mastercard are another easy way to replenish the supply. that every baby is born healthy.
roads would make The nonprofit organization has been offering support For more information visit their website at www.
it easier for our and education to pregnant women and infants since 1993. mchealthystart.org or phone (772) 463-2888.
clients. We also There are currently 32 Healthy Start Coalitions in Florida
have more space offering expectant mothers risk screenings, prenatal care, Photos by Beverly Jones
that allows us parenting support, counseling and much more.
to have private
meeting rooms
and to keep more
supplies on hand
for our clients,”
Samantha noted. Martin County Healthy Start
CO VID-19 Coalition CEO Samantha Suffich
pandemic has prepares bags of diapers for pickup
forced them to make on Thursdays in Stuart. Due to
changes to their the COVID-19 pandemic, the
normal routine, but nonprofit has experienced a 50
all regular services perecent increase in demand for
are still available diapers. Public support is vital to
by telephone. Stuart ensure a sufficient supply. Donation
diaper pantry hours information can be found at www. Lisa Kieffer, pre-natal outreach manager with Martin County
have been scaled mchealthystart.org. Healthy Start Coalition, meets client Kushboo Bohia in the
back to Thursdays Ellie Duell greets everyone when they arrive at MCHSC. parking lot with formula for her infant.
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; in Indiantown the pantry is open
on Tuesdays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Normally clients
collect diapers and other supplies two times a month, but
to decrease client exposure and travel, the organization
has encouraged clients to make a monthly visit where
they will receive a larger supply of diapers.
The diaper pantry has two physical locations, one in
Stuart at their main office at 963 S.E. Federal Highway
and at the Indiantown Outreach Center at 15161 S.W.
169th Ave.
“The client contact is very important so we can check
in with them and make sure they are on track, their
babies are healthy, and they are receiving the services
and support they need,” noted Valerie Bell, president of CEO Samantha Suffich;, Robert Butterfield, Operations
the board of directors. Manager, CBS 12; and Commissioner Stacey Hetherington, Board President Valerie Bell, CEO Samantha Suffich and
To register for services, contact the Connect program board member David Bradford, MCHSC supporter
at (772) 219-1835. Connect is overseen by the Florida
Department of Health in Martin County.
Martin County Healthy Start Coalition is registered
on the Amazon Smile Charity List providing a very easy
way to support the diaper pantry program. The link to

CEO Samantha Suffich; Board President Valerie Bell with
Cleveland Clini;, Ashley Calderone, Cleveland Clinic; and
Aubrey Campbell, director of development

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