April’s Showers a success in Abbeville

An effort to collect items needed for young, single mothers during April proved to be successful for many reasons.
A Pregnancy Center & Clinic (APCC) teamed up with the Abbeville Fire Department to hold “April’s Showers.” The drive focused on collecting the things needed to help ease the financial burden on single mothers.
“I think it was really successful for the first one,” said Betty Henson, an Abbeville resident and volunteer with APCC.
Members of the Abbeville Fire Department collected items from the public at the main fire station throughout April. Items donated included diapers, baby powder, baby lotion, baby wash, baby bottles, diaper rash cream, receiving blankets, diaper bags, Boppy pillows and pacifiers.
“These are all things that mothers need during the first few months,” Henson said. “Many of the mothers we help don’t have anything.
“We are thankful to all who donated.”
Henson said a special thanks goes out to Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza and Abbeville Fire Chief Jude Mire for allowing the drive to take place through the fire department.
“We are more than happy to be part of it,” Mire said. “We want to do it next year and hope it is even bigger.”
Henson said things are already pointing in that direction.
“One of the fire stations in Lafayette has already approached us about ‘April’s Showers’ next year,” Henson said. “There are some other fire departments who are looking into doing the same thing next year.
“We are looking forward to next year being an even bigger success.”
A Pregnancy Center & Clinic, a non-profit organization, has its home office in Lafayette. It’s pantry that helps single mothers is called Grace’s Closet.
“Our mission to help women who are pregnant and don’t have the resources needed to take care of the child,” Executive Director Patrice Lewis said.
Henson has volunteered for four years.
“As long as I am able and God calls me,” Henson said, “this is what I am going to do.”