The Norwalk Fire Department will dedicate a Safe Haven Baby Box. The newest in Iowa, this Safe Haven Baby Box gives parents in crisis a secure and anonymous way to safely surrender a newborn baby. The dedication ceremony will be held on Tuesday, November 4th, at 3 p.m. at the fire station on Chatham Avenue.

According to a City of Norwalk press release, the project was completed through the efforts of local advocates and community donors, marking what city officials call a significant step in ensuring every infant has a chance for a safe and loving future. This new installation makes Norwalk the third community in Iowa to offer a Safe Haven Baby Box. There are 391 locations nationwide providing the same service.

The release also stated Monica Kelsey, the program’s founder, says she’s grateful to local advocates who bring the mission to their communities. 70 infants have been safely surrendered through Safe Haven Baby Boxes since 2017, and the organization’s crisis line has assisted in more than 170 additional handoffs.

For more information, visit SafeHavenBabyBoxes.com.