Huntington Woman Behind Brittany's Baskets Of Hope Honored

HUNTINGTON, NY — Brittany Schiavone, founder of non-profit Brittany's Baskets of Hope, was named as one of the 2019 Women of Worth Honorees by L’Oréal Paris in its national campaign. Schiavone was recognized for her outstanding work as one of 10 nominees from across the United States who also have worked towards admirable causes.

Schiavone, 30, of Huntington, has Down syndrome. Upon learning that the first words many parents hear in response to the birth of a child with Down syndrome are "I’m sorry," Schiavone set out to change that. She got the idea when she watched a video of people helping babies with Down syndrome.

With help from her support system, Schiavone launched Brittany's Baskets of Hope, which delivers baskets to parents of children born with Down syndrome. With the help of local organizations, each basket contains hand-knit baby blankets, booties and hats, as well as a special onesie that reads "Downright Perfect." Local and national organizations help the non-profit buy bottles, headbands and bibs. Perhaps most importantly, part of each basket celebrates the baby with resources to help the parents such as the book "Babies With Down Syndrome" edited by Susan J. Skallerup, the poem "Welcome to Holland" by Emily Perl Kingsley.

"We’re trying to celebrate the birth of a new baby and show the parents that life is going to be okay," Susan Schiavone, Brittany's mother, told Patch.

Since delivering its first basket in October 2016, over 800 baskets have been delivered across 49 states by the organization, as well as Puerto Rico. For local families on Long Island, the BBOH team makes in-person deliveries.

"I love to hold the babies, and we like to talk to the Long Island parents face-to-face," Brittany said.

Brittany tells new parents her story, and then her own parents follow it up by discussing their experiences of raising Brittany as someone with Down syndrome. These meetings provide Brittany the perfect opportunity to share her key message:

"Babies with Down Syndrome can do anything. Really, really anything."

Brittany's efforts bring to life the L’Oréal Paris mission of uplifting and inspiring self-worth in others. The public can support the 2019 Women of Worth by voting for one woman to become this year’s "National Honoree." Each honoree will automatically receive $10,000, as well as educational and training opportunities. However, the leading vote-getter will bag an additional $25,000 to support her cause, for a grand total of $35,000.

To support Brittany, you can vote for her to become the National Honoree by visiting www.WomenofWorth.com and registering with an email address to vote once a day, now through Nov. 15.

Brittany was honored just to be named one of the 10 nominees in the country.

"It makes me happy," she said. "It spreads the word of BBOH. [Parents] get a basket and they get hope."

Should she win the competition, she would be thrilled to bits.

"I’d be really happy. It’d be amazing, and it would spread my message."