As anyone who has visited TTPM.com knows, our editors spend countless hours putting products through the ringer to ensure their safety for your kids. But child safety during bedtime is just as important as during playtime. That’s why we were super excited that our own baby editor Maria Colaco attended the First Candle Charity Gala on November 5 in New York City.
First Candle is a leading national non-profit dedicated to safe pregnancies, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) prevention, and the survival of babies through the first year of life. The annual charity gala dinner and awards show recognizes the efforts and achievements of companies and individuals in the area of infant safety. Maria attended as a guest of Regal Lager (distributor of top baby brands Love to Dream, Dékor, Lascal, and My Carry Potty).
With guests decked out in their best attire, the evening featured live music, an awards presentation, an auction, and a formal dinner. “Safety Mom” Allison Jacobsen, child safety expert, played host for the evening and shared her story of how she lost her baby to SIDS in 1997. SIDS is a very real concern for any parent, and Allison turned her devastation from losing her child into becoming a preeminent voice of infant sleep safety. Proceeds from the auction, which included tickets to the Grammy Awards and a trip to the Florida Gulf Coast among others, went toward research for safe pregnancies and healthy babies.
The gala was abuzz with media, parents, advocates, baby gear companies, and more, including Project Nursery co-founder Melisa Fluhr, Cool Mom Picks’ Serena Noor, New York Family editor Eric Messinger, and Jessica Hartshorn, senior lifestyle editor at American Baby and entertainment editor at Parents magazines, all to support First Candle.
Maria also got a photo op with Joe Shamie, the president of Delta Children, who sits on the board of directors for First Candle. The Boppy Company was the foremost sponsor of the evening.
First Candle works hard to educate caretakers, parents, and daycare workers about proper infant care to ensure that babies are given the best possible chance to reach their first birthday and birthdays beyond. The “Safe Sleep” message gives the public tips about making sure babies always sleep on their backs and that there are no soft, loose bedding or toys in the baby’s crib.
At the end of the decadent dinner, a single cupcake with a candle was served to each guest to symbolize baby’s first birthday. It was a touching moment for all, and a reminder of all this organization does. To learn more about First Candle, visit www.firstcandle.org.