Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore, Staff Reporter

Maria Hitchins - Contributed

After the birth of Maria Hitchins' daughter, Milan Russell, last November, she was inspired to start a charity, Growing and Giving.

Giving has always been a major part of her life and she enjoys it. She notes that though Milan is just two months old, she is quickly outgrowing her clothes. Being born in the United States, there were baby showers both there and in Jamaica. Along with gifts from friends and family, she ended up with excess items for the baby.

"She cannot use all the things or wear all the clothes so I decided to give some away," Ms. Hitchins told Flair.

Fulfilling her purpose

With this in mind, she decided that her best option was to start a company that would fulfil her purpose. Growing and Giving is focused on collecting items that children have outgrown, but which are in good condition, and, in turn, passing them on to needy individuals and families. She notes that she accepts items such as clothes, shoes, bedding, toys, books, furniture (crib, strollers, high chairs, bassinets, car seats, swings, etc.), aspirators, bottles, sterilisers, bags and bathtubs. They also collect specific items for children: newborn to pre-teen (0-12 years old) but place special emphasis on the infant to toddler age group.

She said that often, persons keep items promising to use them again or give them to relatives or communities in rural parishes.

Also, many might even pack them up with the intention to give away but never get around to it. Growing and Giving will pick up all donated items, sort them, deliver them to needy individuals and will keep donors abreast of the company's activities.

She notes tha the charity is new, she is already being advised to establish other branches overseas. This is being considered for the future. For now, she just wants people to buy into the idea of giving rather than throwing away.