Hidden Baby Heroes - and the winners are... May 13, 2012. Submitted by Hidden Baby

 HIdden Baby Heroes 2012

We have been so inspired by the nominees for our first annual Hidden Baby Heroes Awards, and we’ve been humbled by their courage, passion and commitment to helping babies-in-need. Here are the winners and their remarkable stories.

 

Davona Church

Arusha, Tanzania

Nominated by Anne White, Australia

Davona Church epitomizes the Hidden Baby Hero. She has spent her life loving and caring for hidden babies – from nurturing a total of 66 foster babies while living in the U.S., to almost single-handedly creating two baby homes in Africa. She established the Open Arms Infant Home in Malawi and most recently, the Cradle of Love Baby Home in Tanzania.  Cradle of Love cares for abandoned or orphaned babies who have nowhere else to go, often because other facilities will not accept infants who are HIV positive. 

In Davona’s words, “I believe every person has a purpose, a mission, a talent that God can use to help others.” Davona inspires us with her purpose, her mission and her God-given talent – a deep, abiding love for babies. 

To learn more about Davona and the Cradle of Love Baby Home visit:  http://s104417474.onlinehome.us/cradle2/about/.

And to see how her wonderful supporter Anne White is helping, visit The Power of One Project: www.facebook.com/#!/thepowerofoneproject

  

Lynn Margherio

Boston, MA

Nominated by Jillian Eid, Boston

In 2001, while visiting her family, Lynn Margherio noticed that her nieces and nephews had a surplus of perfectly good clothing and toys that were no longer being used. From that experience she envisioned a tangible way to improve the lives of impoverished babies and children. Within a year, Lynn had founded Cradles to Crayons, collecting new and gently used items and distributing these essentials to disadvantaged babies and children throughout Massachusetts and the Philadelphia area. 

Lynn has worked tirelessly for the past ten years to alleviate the effects of childhood poverty, and her efforts have been rewarded – last year, with the help of 35,000 volunteers, 87,000 packages were donated to youngsters in need. Thanks to her vision, thousands of babies and children are having their critical needs met – from diapers, bottles and car seats, to coats, shoes and backpacks. 

To learn more about Lynn and Cradles to Crayons, visit http://cradlestocrayons.org/

 

Lily Simpson

Queensland, Australia

Nominated by Molly Captain Snorticus, Australia

Lily Simpson has a great heart for babies. She has devoted her life to providing support, through fund-raising, sponsorships and hands-on care, to babies in an orphanage in Khon Kaen, Thailand. She has ensured that these abandoned and orphaned babies, many of whom are HIV positive, receive access to medical care, food and shelter. Just as importantly, she provides these little ones with love.  

As her friend Molly wrote, “I have never met anyone who has shown such a selfless, long term and sustained commitment to the needs of others.” Lily and her husband are currently in the process of moving to Khon Kaen, where they will devote themselves entirely to nurturing and caring for the babies.

 

Honorable Mention

Anita Chupp

Denver, Colorado

Nominated by Michelle Schroder, Denver, CO 

Since receiving her Master’s degree in Public Health and Nurse Midwifery from the University of Illinois, (while raising three little ones!), Anita Chupp has devoted herself to babies - both born and unborn. As a registered Nurse Midwife she serves impoverished moms in underserved areas, ensuring that they receive the proper health care so their babies will have the best possible start in life. And, as described by her friend Michelle, Anita is “an amazing mother to three awesome little boys”, a 4-year-old and 3-year-old twins.

As Anita stated while attending the University of Illinois, “I have always wanted to be a nurse because I want to work with people to improve their lives through education, advocacy, and compassionate care.” Anita is accomplishing that goal in both her professional and personal life.

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