Thank you for donating to my fundraiser as a Champion, and supporting the mission of Healthier Moms and Babies and those mothers and babies they serve! You can share any of my video links, share on my LinkedIn, or share on my Facebook to spread the word and help me reach my fundraising goal!  ???

Aaryn's Fundraising Page: https://bit.ly/3lMOwzL

Video: Why Aaryn's Fighting

Video: Aaryn as an Advocate for Moms

Video: Aaryn Supporting HMB

Them: Are you coming to work tomorrow?

Me: I don't work here, but yes, I will be here tomorrow.

I didn't know at the time that volunteering TOO much was a thing. I also didn't know I was creating a path straight toward my passion for community and human service work.

I've worked for nonprofits my entire career, and know what it's like to see a community need and gaps that can be filled in caring for the people who need it the most. I also know what it's like to be that person who's doing the day-to-day work and executing the mission. ?

The topic of maternal-child health is not new to me at all. I recently met with a new friend, a young black woman, for lunch -- she's expecting her first baby in the spring. As confident as I assumed she would be about being a first time mom, she said, "Our infant mortality rates here in Allen County are pretty bad. I'm kinda nervous."

I know that there is so much room for improving and supporting the lives and health of mothers and their babies in this community. And that's why I'm a Champion Fighting For Firsts.

Even though I'm not yet a mom, I support Healthier Moms and Babies as they do the work to support girls and women (especially those who look like me) who ARE moms. Who DO need support and guidance and somene to hold their hand and cheerlead for them. This is me showing the communtity and our moms and babies that I believe in them, that I want for them to have the tools to lead happy, healthy lives. ???