Paislee’s Foundation Craft & Home Show Raises Money for Families Coping with Stillbirth and Infant Loss

October 15, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

For six years Paislee’s Foundation has been there for families dealing with the pain of losing an infant by providing emotional and financial support for them in their time of need

Some 65 families have benefited from the generosity of the foundation since 2013 and thanks to the outpouring of support from the community Saturday during the annual Craft & Home Show fundraiser even more people will be served in the years to come.

Established by Tyler and Jessica Cripps of Alexandria in memory of their daughter Paislee Cheyanne Cripps, who was stillborn on May 3, 2013, the foundation’s purpose is to support those whose lives have been touched tragically within the past six months due to stillbirth, infant loss, or child loss up to three years old. Through the foundation, families can receive funds to assist them with funeral costs or other expenses.

“We had a steady crowd come through all day Saturday and many vendors sold a lot of nice things. Because of fundraisers like this when a family needs help we’re able to help them,” said Tyler Cripps.

Names of babies from families served over the years by the foundation were on display Saturday written on colorful paper cutouts in the shape of butterflies

“We appreciate everybody’s support of the Crafts & Home Show and look for it to be bigger and better next year,” added Jessica Cripps.

All proceeds from the craft show and other fundraisers, including an annual 5K and chili supper goes directly to the foundation, a 501c 3 non-profit organization

For more information about the Paislee story or to make a donation visit www.paisleesfoundation.org or follow on facebook for event information.

October 15, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Did You Know that ONE child in FIVE lives in poverty? That’s 15.5 million impoverished children in the United States.

For more than 14 years, the Nashville-based Mother To Mother program has been working to ensure impoverished children in local communities like Smithville and DeKalb County have access to basic essentials that often slip through the cracks of government subsidies and charitable support.

To help meet the need locally, the Calvary Baptist Church of Smithville is partnering with the Mother To Mother non-profit organization to offer free essential baby items to families in need.

Items including diapers, clothes, hats/socks, toys, linens, and baby gear will be given away while supplies last on Monday, October 28 from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at 830 Foster Road, the location of Calvary Baptist Church. Please bring a bag to receive the items. This event is weather permitting. You do not have to be a resident of DeKalb County to receive these items.

Mother To Mother was founded by Janie Busbee in 2004. She had a heart to connect those wanting to help newborn babies with the case workers and healthcare professionals who saw the greatest needs firsthand.

“We saw the needs that case workers and hospital nurses have when parents don’t have the basic items necessary to care for a child,” she said. “We knew there were people out there who would want to help, but maybe didn’t know how. So we created Mother To Mother to be the conduit between moms who want to help and moms who need it.”

Since its inception, Mother To Mother has distributed diapers, car seats, clothes, cribs, strollers, products, gear, and other essential baby items to low-income children from newborn to age 10.

For more information contact Mother to Mother at mothertomotherinc.org or call 615-540-7000.

October 15, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Who could resist a cuddly little kitten?

The DeKalb Animal Coalition has five new kittens available for adoption and they are the WJLE Featured “Pets of the Week”.

Emmaly Bennett with 5 kittens for adoption from dwayne page on Vimeo.

“These babies are six weeks old. They are eating on their own and they are using the litter box. Four of the five kittens are males. We haven’t named them yet but they are ready to go to a good home. Come by to put in an application for them. Their adoption fee is $30,” said shelter employee Emmaly Bennett.

For more information call the shelter at 615-597-3647 (DOGS) or visit facebook. The shelter is currently open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 12-4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 to 12 noon.

Located at 186 Transfer Station Road behind Tenneco Automotive.