Buncombe County students brought some unusual party supplies to their classes in March: diapers, wipes, blankets, and booties. Their gifts were donations for the Baby Shower Challenge, an event that grew out of an idea by North Buncombe High School Child Development teacher Anita King.
King’s classes combined review activities with traditional shower games, and even tricycle races.
“In class, we discuss how expensive it is to have a baby, and how the expenses build after the baby is born with all the suppliers, diapers, wipes, clothing, bottles, and formula,” King said. She asked her students if they’d be willing to help new parents in need. “We started collecting baby supplies that we could donate to our local BEAR Closet.”
BEAR, or Baby Equipment and Resources, is an Asheville-based community program that helps equip families of newborns with all the supplies they need.
King and her students challenged Child Development classes at A.C. Reynolds, Erwin, and T.C. Roberson High Schools to collect supplies as well. Reynolds won the donation drive, but King says helping local families in need was a powerful lesson for all students.
“When I delivered our donations to the Weaverville United Methodist Church BEAR closet, they were thrilled with such a large donation, and assured us these items will provide supply to families in need in our own community.”
King hopes this year’s event will become an annual tradition for Buncombe County Schools.