Knights of Columbus makes donation to Birth Haven

OAK RIDGE — Knights of Columbus Council 5510 Oak Ridge/Milton sponsored a “Baby Bottle — We Support Life Drive” with the proceeds going to Birth Haven.

Birth Haven located at 4 Academy Street, Newton, is an independent, non-sectarian, non-profit organization that provides shelter, support, and education for homeless, pregnant women and girls. The agency provides a safe and nurturing environment in which to carry an unexpected pregnancy to term, while additionally helping the resident learn the tools necessary to achieve greater self-sufficiency. Individuals served by the organization include both those who intend to raise their child after delivery and those who opt for adoption placement.

The Knights of Columbus fundraiser run by Grand Knight Joe Ozoniak called it a Baby Bottle Drive because the Knights distributed baby bottles during the weekend masses at St Thomas the Apostle Church in Oak Ridge, NJ and asked each family to take a baby bottle home and return it with their spare change and cash donations.

The Knight's Baby Bottle campaign donated a little over $2,500 to Birth Haven director Tina Figurelli.

Figurelli said the next goal is a project called "Birth Haven Two". This will be a program that will help the woman after the birth of the child, and will assist up to 1 year. Right now Birth Haven helps up to 90 days after the baby is born.