BabyLove DC: Local Charity Run by Local Moms

BabyLove DC is a charitable organization, started and run by D.C. moms. They collect gently used baby clothing, toys and accessories and distribute them to those in need in the D.C. region. Though BabyLove DC is still working to get its efforts known locally, the organization received a $25,000 donation from upon the .

Annie Lou Berman is one of the original organizing forces behind BabyLove. She said the charity got its start just over two years ago when Ali Wentworth began thinking about just how much STUFF babies need and how expensive that stuff was. For some families the cost can be unbearable.

Berman said, right here in D.C. there are families who, "don’t have a crib...or can’t leave the hospital because they don't have a car seat."

Wentworth tapped other local moms, her friends, all of whom lived in D.C. and asked them to help her fill this void.

Berman said the goal was to "make it [donating] as simple as possible and to get the most amount of things to people quickly." She said people want to donate, but often the groups who accept items are not set up to accept donations at really convenient times or convenient locations.

"The need is so vast" said Berman, "there are babies who literally don’t have any clothes...and mothers who literally don’t have anything and often have multiple children." That's why BabyLove DC accepts even the smallest donation, "whether it's one blanket or 5 carloads."

BabyLove recently opened a store at the KIPP charter school on Benning Road. Donations supply the store and parents in need can now shop for there for most anything they need.

Want to donate? There is a drive tomorrow, April 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on 34th Street at Wisconsin Avenue, outside and across from .