McPHERSON, Kan. — The McPherson Fire Department announced Friday it has received sufficient donations to purchase a Baby Box, which provides a last resort option for a parent or legal guardian to legally surrender an infant anonymously.
A bill in the Kansas Legislature expanding the legal surrender of an infant to include newborn safety devices such as a Baby Box was advocated for by the Fire Department after it had experienced an incident involving an abandoned infant in 2008.
Donations for the project were collected through the McPherson County Community Foundation with major support from Countryside Covenant Church along with a local family and a McPherson Family and their firefighter who wished to remain anonymous.
McPherson Fire Chief TJ Wyssman said fundraising for the project was completed when Olivia Fetsch donated the remaining funds needed in honor of her sister Vanessa Leite, who passed away in April.
Additional donations are being taken to cover annual maintenance and support fees for the Baby Box. Those donations can be sent to the fire department at 312 East Kansas, McPherson, KS 67460 or made online at https://mccf.fcsuite.com/erp/
