Springing into Action! “Bethany Baby Bottle" Campaign

The National Honor Society of Chicago Christian High School is raising money to help families and children throughout central and northern Illinois through a “Bethany Baby Bottle” campaign.

Victoria Sluis, a senior at Chicago Christian High School, explained that a baby bottle campaign is “collecting pocket change, whatever change you get after making a purchase, folks will then put the change in a Bethany Baby Bottle.” Her classmate and another senior at the high school, Catherine Van Lonkhuyzen, says, “people think that pocket change is not impactful, but it is.”

The funds they raise will go toward Pregnancy Counseling and Safe Families for Children; two programs offered by Bethany Christian Services of Illinois.

Barb Lavery, National Honor Society (NHS) teacher and sponsor from 1993 to 2014, recalls that even before she began teaching, the “Bethany Baby Bottle” campaign was started by a student in her church and then brought to the NHS. Students in the NHS have been volunteering to distribute baby bottles for over 30 years.

They often give an announcement letting their friends and family know that the bottles, with their change, bills, and checks, will be collected several weeks later. Soon after, the students gather to count the coins and dollars.

The NHS of Chicago Christian High School has raised money since 1987, supporting Bethany Christian Services of Illinois; thus, making them one of Bethany’s top ten donors overall.

For the 31st annual “Bethany Baby Bottle” campaign, the NHS recently accepted the challenge of increasing the number of bottles distributed to 500 and they seek to raise $10,000. The group sets an example to all of us on how small, consistent gifts can make a large impact.

“Year after year,” Bethany’s Executive Director says, “the contributions they have collected have supported expectant mothers who need emergency assistance for essentials such as prenatal care, food, housing, and other common expenses so women can have a safe and healthy pregnancy as they decide whether to parent or make an adoption plan. The funds also support our Safe Families for Children program, which is a network of volunteer host families who help parents in need of temporary care for their children as they work through hardships such as homelessness.”

Another senior year student, Allie Boss, says, “It shows everyone can participate and allows others to come together to help people in need of support.” Allie also added that by taking part in the “Bethany Baby Bottle” campaign she feels motivated by the fact that she can do something to address issues she is most concerned about. “I’ve learned that you need to take responsibility of the things you want to change. It’s up to you to create the change. Being young, you feel as though you can’t do anything, but you can do something.”

Abby Voss, a junior, says, “Judging by how quickly the baby bottles were grabbed by friends and family to support the campaign, it shows me that people care about pregnant women. Plus, knowing that the funds will provide housing, medical needs of the expectant mother and baby, really inspires me.”

The baby bottle campaign will wrap up at the end of March, but Bethany will have another one starting on Mother's Day. If your youth group or church would like to participate in the upcoming “Bethany Baby Bottle” campaign, please contact Veronica Studnicka at vstudnicka@bethany.org.

Bethany Christian Services of Illinois finds families for children and strengthens families. To learn more about Bethany, please visit https://www.bethany.org/chicago.