By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

A local children and family outreach program needs the community’s help in collecting baby and children’s items that will help those who are served by the Rowan County Department of Social Services.

One Church One Child is a mission program between Rowan DSS and local churches that is designed to identify and support families in congregations who are interested in becoming foster or adoptive parents. The program also supports foster parents and relatives who care for children in foster care.

The children are referred to the program by Rowan DSS social workers and are children who may have been victimized and traumatized by sexual, physical and emotional abuse, neglect or dependency who receive in-home case management, foster care, adoption and child protective services from the Roway County DSS Children’s Services Division.

Program Coordinator the Rev. Jon Hunter said the program was started in December 2006 and they are now helping more children than ever.

“We are serving more children this year than in the past. Unfortunately the reports of abuse and neglect continue to escalate,” Hunter said.

He said this is the first time in a long time they’ve had such a need. The items most needed seem to be boys’ and girls’ underwear and socks. Hunter said they are always in need of those two items.

The urgent needs of the program include: soap, body wash, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes for children, deodorant, diaper wipes, diapers for newborn boys and girls up to size six as well as Pull-Ups. There is also an urgent need for boys’ 2T, 3T and 6/8 sized underwear and girls’ 2 and 3 sized underwear.

Donated items can be delivered at the Assistance Center operated out of Main Street United Methodist Church, 1312 N. Main St., Salisbury from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays.

Other items of need include: baby items (high chairs, clothes, strollers), new bedding (pillows, sheets, comforters and blankets), cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products, new school supplies, used small appliances (toaster ovens, microwaves, coffee makers), new cribs, new mattresses and new twin beds. There is also a need for furniture (dressers, bed frames), towels and washcloths, gently used toys, dishes, flatware and cookware as well as books for children and adults.

Financial contributions to One Church One Child can be mailed to the Rowan County Department of Social Services, 1813 East Innes St., Salisbury NC, 28146. Checks can be made out to the Rowan County Department of Social Services with ROCOC in the memo and attention to Jon Hunter.

The donated funds are used to purchase items requested by social workers for children.

Volunteers are always needed, Hunter said, and can “just show up” at the church from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday or Thursday.

Any church, individual, civic group can volunteer. Any church who volunteers is asked to conduct one drive during the year and appoint a lead coordinator who will act as a liaison with Hunter and the church.

For more information about One Church One Child visit www.rowancountync.gov/rococ, email Hunter at jon.hunter@rowancountync.gov or call him at 704-216-7914.