Infants impacted during annual Project Cradle Care

Payton Fletcher, Thomasville Times-Enterprise, Ga.
·2 min read

Jan. 24—Last Saturday, the Kappa Psi Sigma Alumnae chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. held their annual Project Cradle Care event at Douglass High School in Thomasville.

Caryn Vandergriff, an organizer for the project, said that the community baby shower was open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with free supplies available for the public throughout.

"Project Cradle Care is essentially a community baby shower," Vandergriff said. "We have this initiative to help enhance the lives the youth, their families, and especially provide prenatal care to women in poverty."

Vandergriff said they had available everything that a mother would need in caring for an infant or toddler.

"Anything that an infant or toddler or a new mother may need, we have baby wipes, baby wash, diapers, learning toys, strollers, car seats," she said. "Whatever a family may need, we have available."

First beginning in 2016 in Lowndes County, Vandergriff said that her organization served nine counties in the area, and this marked the first time they've ever hosted it in Thomasville for the surrounding community.

"This is an annual thing," she said. "This is our first year doing it in Thomasville, we started this in 2016 in Valdosta."

According to the organizer, they had a very good turnout with over 50 visitors throughout the event. She added that she was happy to see those benefitting from their effort.

"We had a very good turnout," Vandergriff said. "Definitely, at least, maybe 50 to 75 people, who we were very happy to see," Vandergriff said. "We do have more events coming this year to kinda help uplift the community in Thomasville."

Vandergriff said that the next event that her organization would be hosting is a youth symposium targeted at middle and high school students on March 11 at the Douglass High School, focused on healthy life choices and social decisions.

She added that she hopes that when people notice them in their area, or one of their events, that they will come and take advantage of the opportunities and resources they provide.

"Always, when you see us, come out because everything will always be free, from Project Cradle Care to the youth symposium," Vandergriff said. "Just come and show your support."

According to Vandergriff, other organizations involved in Project Cradle Care included the Alpha Phi Alpha Thomasville Coalition, the Yellow Elephant, the Thomasville Community Outreach, and Kristine Jones, owner of Priceless Jewels.