Southern Campus, Friends of Lily’s Place partner to host baby shower

Friends of Lily’s Place showered love on babies impacted by the opioid crisis in the Tri-State.

IRONTON, Ohio – Lily’s Place, located in Huntington, West Virginia, is the country’s first Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome center. The facility’s staff and volunteers support the smallest victims of the opioid crisis – nearly 100 babies each year. 

Ohio University Southern joined forces with the civic group Friends of Lily’s Place to host a shower for these infants Jan. 25 at the Ironton Campus. Participants generously donated diapers, unscented baby wipes, car seats and more in addition to more than $2,500 in cash donations. 

Olivia Meade, director of development and marketing at Lily’s Place, spoke to attendees. She thanked everyone for their participation and educated the group about the facility’s mission. “We’re a nonprofit, so community support such as this is vital,” Meade said. “We give back to the community ways that extends beyond initial care. We follow up annually with each patient for as long as we are able and assess their well-being and development.” 

Director of Marketing and Public Relations at Ohio University Southern Traci Tillis said that the partnership between the University and the fundraiser was a natural fit. “Friends of Lily’s Place founder, Becky Payne, is the wife of Southern Campus Maintenance Supervisor Gerald Payne,” Tillis said. “Becky’s passion for helping these children inspired so many – faculty, staff, students, businesses, church groups and others – to join in our effort. The outpouring of support was so much more than we ever imagined.” 

Donations are still being accepted. Drop off locations are available at the Ironton Campus in front of the Nursing Department office in the Academic Center and at the Ohio University Proctorville Center through Feb. 9. 

Lily’s Place opened in October 2014. For more information, visit http://www.lilysplace.org/.