The growing non-profit It Takes A Village Okotoks has a new space to work out of.

A warehouse and office space was opened this week for the organization, who provide baby care items to families facing hardships in the Foothills.

Leah Sampson, Founding President of It Takes A Village says opening a warehouse space after only two years of operation is a dream come true.

"This building came to us through a Community Initiatives Grant from Alberta Culture, Parks and Tourism," she says. "We had a landlord come forward and help us with some of the operating costs, it's a miracle is really what it is, how it all came into play, we really are blessed."

It Takes A Village will use the space to collect donations, assemble them, and get them out the door to families in need.

Sampson says this is quite the contrast from their previous operation, which was ran out of member's basements.

"We initiatively began It Takes A Village out of my basement, and we would have donations dropped off at my door. Then we moved it to the current president's home and we were operating out of her basement as well. We would have the families come to our homes and pick up the baby boxes, and any items they needed."

She hopes the space will help them continue to meet the growing number of young families in need in the Foothills.

"In two years we have given 140 baby boxes out to community families, so there is a need. We've serviced premature babies, and families facing hardships that can't make ends meet. They don't know how they're going to clothe their babies, they need diapers, or formula, or a crib, or a car seat, there is a demand."

Sampson would like to thank anyone who has donated to It Takes A Village, their sponsors, and volunteers.

"We can't help these children in our community unless we work together as a team, because it does take a village to raise a child. Thank you from the bottom of all of our hearts for helping the kids."

Donations for It Takes A Village can now be dropped off on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at their new office space, Unit #201, 3 Fisher Crescent.

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