Duke Energy Foundation Awards $15,000 To City Of Bedford For New Safe Haven Baby Box

(BEDFORD) – The Duke Energy Foundation has awarded a $15,000 grant to the city of Bedford for the purchase and installation of a Safe Haven Baby Box.

A baby box allows a mother in crisis to safely, legally, and anonymously surrender her newborn if she is unable to care for the baby. The box is installed in an exterior wall of a fire station or hospital and has an exterior door that automatically locks after a newborn is placed inside. This triggers an alarm, notifying the medical staff, who can provide proper care for the newborn.

There are currently 46 baby boxes located throughout Indiana.

Bruce Calloway, Duke Energy government and community relations manager for Lawrence County.

“We recognize that some mothers, for a variety of reasons, simply cannot provide appropriate care for a newborn baby,” said Bruce Calloway, Duke Energy government and community relations manager for Lawrence County. “The baby box is a great way to protect and care for newborns who otherwise might face an uncertain and dangerous fate.”

Bedford Mayor Sam Craig

“The city of Bedford would like to thank the Duke Energy Foundation for awarding this grant,” said Mayor Sam Craig. “The Safe Haven Box will be a great asset for our citizens and community. It will give great comfort to a mother in need of assistance to provide for her newborn child. There is no doubt this could be a life-giving accomplishment for all of us.”

The grant is part of the Foundation’s “State Strategic Impact” grant program, which responds to the unique needs of the communities in which Duke Energy operates. Other areas of focus for the Foundation include K-12 education, workforce development, nature, local impact and community initiatives.

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