The Newton Masonic Lodge’s Annual Breakfast Buffet Fundraiser Saturday morning will benefit the efforts to bring a Safe Haven Baby Box to Jasper County. Part of the proceeds from the breakfast will go to the Open Arms Foundation of Jasper County. The non-profit was founded in Newton in February of 2024 by Jasper County Assistant Attorney Nick Pietrack, and serves children in the Jasper County Foster Care system. Pietrack sees first hand the children his organization helps, as he prosecutes felony drug and child abuse cases, and oversees local Children in Need of Assistance cases. During Open Arms’ first year, Pietrack says the foundation helped more than 450 individuals. He says that their big goal this year is getting a Safe Haven Baby Box in Jasper County.

“A baby box is a climate controlled, secure location where a child can be left by a parent anonymously.”

In Iowa, parents can legally surrender their newborns, up to 90 days old, to the state. This can also be done at a hospital or fire department. The breakfast buffet fundraiser will be held from 7-9 a.m. this Saturday, and proceeds will also benefit the Newton Masonic Lodge. The cost is $10 for adults and $3 for children.