The Northern Chautauqua County United Way is teaming up with the south county’s United Way to help some of the community’s most vulnerable citizens, the babies.

According to the United Way, just this year in Chautauqua County, nine babies will die before their first birthday and 53 babies will test positive for drugs. This month, six babies will be born without adequate prenatal care and 44 babies will not receive any breast milk from their mothers. This week, two babies will be born prematurely and two babies will be born under a healthy weight. By donating baby products, it could help prevent babies from dying at a young age and help improve their quality of life in general.

“We are collecting new baby supplies throughout the month of July to distribute to programs helping the very young and new mothers throughout Chautauqua County,” Adam Dolce, executive director said. “We are happy to pick up materials collected at remote sites, or items can be dropped off to our office in Dunkirk.”

Throughout the whole month, the United Ways of Dunkirk and Jamestown will be collecting baby items, such as toiletries, books, bath tubs, sheets, strollers, clothes, diapers, and anything else a baby needs. Dolce even encourages workplaces to set up their own remote drives at their offices. The United Way will pick those items up once done collecting.

The community Baby Drive has been a United Way initiative in the south county for many years. “This is our first year joining the effort and the timing just seemed to make sense,” Dolce said. “With many families in our area facing hardships we felt this was a great way to help alleviate some of the financial burdens of a new baby and to help ensure that they have some of the needed items as they grow and develop.”

Continuing to see unemployment numbers remain high in the area, the North County United Way decided that this year would be better than ever to start the baby drive in the north. “We understand that additional help may be needed for families right now,” Dolce said.

The main drop off location is at the United Way building in Dunkirk, 626 Central Avenue. Other locations include the Northern Chautauqua Community foundation on Lake Shore Drive, or the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County in Jamestown. Monetary donations are also being accepted at this time as well, if people feel more comfortable about helping virtually. Donations can be made by dropping them off at either United Way office, or on their website, www.unitedwayncc.org. If the donor designates that the gift is for the “baby shower” they will use the donation, in its entirety, to purchase needed items.

“United we can make a difference,” reads a United Way poster. “For moms and for babies.”