O'Hara student organizes National Mother's Day Baby Shower
by NICHOLAS J. PRIMERANO Ken-Ton Editor

Kristina DelPrince

Let's face it - some parents have a hard time getting their teenager to pick up their room, take out the trash or even mow the lawn - but not change the world.

Kristina DelPrince, a sophomore at Cardinal O'Hara High School is single-handedly organizing an event called National Mother's Day Baby Shower, an event designed to raise resources for crisis pregnancy centers and homes for unwed mothers.

The idea is to collect diapers, blankets, formula and other items for these centers to be used for women in need. These centers provide care for women in a crisis pregnancy situation and are often times the difference between life and death.

"I am really active in the whole pro-life movement," said Del- Prince. "I saw this event on the Web site for Stand True Ministries and knew I wanted to help."

DelPrince, a member of St. Christopher's Church, said that more often than not, young mothers do not have their families support during a crisis pregnancy and are forced to seek other avenues of assistance.

The Ken-Ton Family Center supports these mothers, takes them in and offers them assistance. But, because the Ken-Ton Family Center has an affiliation with the Catholic Health System it doesn't receive government funding.

Donations for this event will be collected at Cardinal O'Hara High School beginning on Monday, May 14 and running through Friday, May 18.

"We are collecting anything new or used that can help mothers and their babies - cribs, diapers, strollers and formula," she said. "We are really looking for all the necessities that these mothers need."

The donation drop-off ends at 3 p.m. on May 18 and then volunteers will take the donated items to the Ken-Ton Family Clinic.

"We are a Catholic school and and we want to spread the message of helping others and practicing good works," said Del- Prince. "These women are those who have chosen not to abort their babies, and we need to help them."

The Ken-Ton Family Center provides the mothers with medical and other necessities that relate to pregnancies.

O'Hara Campus Ministry and Religion teachers John Polasik and Tom Appenheimer are in full support of DelPrince and believe that her contributions are valuable.

"We're very proud of her. It is hard to spearhead an activity like this," said Polasik. "This extends to everything we teach her and shows that we are not alone. There are people who need help.

DelPrince approached the school administrators regarding this project and they were in full support.

The school halls are laden with fliers and many organizations outside the school have offered help.

B.J.'s Wholesale Club has donated cases of diapers and the school is anticipating a donation from Kohl's department store, including store volunteers that will help bring the donations to the center, from the school on May 18.

"This stems from our mission in what we are trying to accomplish with the students. The more the students realize that there are people out there who need help, the better the world will be. We don't help just at Christmas or just at Easter - but all year long," said Polasik.

Donations can be dropped off at O'Hara High School, 39 O'Hara Drive, Town of Tonawanda during school hours from May 14- 18.

e-mail: nprimerano@beenews.com