I have often said that Birthright volunteers go the extra mile for the clients and their babies. The extra mile is literally true since some of them travel 500 miles (250 miles each way) monthly to Spartanburg, SC, to the Piedmont United Way gifts-in-kind warehouse to pick up slightly damaged packages of diapers, which are available at a small cost. This activity began in March, and so far seven trips have been made with an eighth trip to take place on October 25. The estimated value of a load of diapers is $3500. With over 300 clients, Birthright easily goes through this load in a month's time.

Almost all (95%) of our clients are disadvantaged as evidenced by their qualifying for Medicaid. It is important that they have disposable diapers and wipes for their newborn babies and hygiene products for themselves.

I am looking for Knights to drive a van pulling a U-Haul type trailer to Spartanburg and back to Georgetown. Each trip two Knights would be needed. They would be accompanied by two Birthright volunteers who have received orientation and are allowed in the warehouse. The Knights would not go in the warehouse but would load the van. The duration allowed in the warehouse is one hour. This means that the pace is fast and furious to get the trailer loaded. Those in the warehouse have to sort the packages and cross out the universal product codes.

I envision a pool of Knights so that individuals would not have to go too often and to accommodate individual scheduling problems.

The trips are scheduled for Monday every four or five weeks. Departure is 5 AM from Triana's residence at 1552 Kings River Road. Arrival at Spartanburg is 10 AM with stops for McDonald's and refueling. The delivery is made to Birthright of Georgetown at 1905 Front Street. The arrival back at Triana's is after 7 PM.


Len Vercellotti, President
Birthright of Georgetown
  (843) 235-9931