(At left: Soroptomist International of Billings President Peg Dare promoting the Baby Think It Over Program at the Farmers Market in downtown Billings, MT)

This month's featured customer is the Soroptomist International of Billings organization in Billings, Montana.

The Soroptomist International of Billings began purchasing Babies in 1998.  The organization now purchased over 200 Babies which they have given to seven different high schools throughout the Billings Montana School District #2, and Yellowstone and Bighorn Counties in Montana. As a result of their efforts, The Baby Think It Over^® Program went from being an elective to now a required part of the 9th grade health classes in the Billings, Montana school district. 

The motto of this international women's service organization is "Improving the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world."  

"This motto is why and how all of this got started," said Mary Stickney, who is part of the Baby Think It Over^® Committee of this organization. "It drives us to do what we do. Every project we do focuses on improving the lives of women and girls."

"It took us almost 2 years to decide if we were going to purchase Babies, because it's such a huge investment," said Stickney. 

However, to date, the organization has raised over $72,000 to support the purchase of both the Babies and all the equipment that can accompany them--such as car seats, strollers, diaper bags, etc. to go with them.

"Part of the impact of the program is not only having a Baby, but all of the equipment that goes with it," said Stickney.  Stickney said that half of this money has come from grant-writing and the other half from a fundraiser the organization conducts called "A Night of Wine and Roses."

The Soroptomist International of Billings has received funding from many local organizations including---The Charles M. Bair Family Trust, Pioneer Kiwanis, St. Vincent's Employee Fund, St. Vincent's Foundation, Rose Canditt, Breakfast Exchange, March of Dimes Billings Chapter, March of Dimes Joe L Ault Jr. Memorial, F O Eagles, Ladies Auxiliary for F O Eagles, Dr. John L Tripp DDS, CTA Architects, Billings Optimist, Dr. Thomas Wickliffe DDS, The Graduates Out to Lunch Bunch and a very special award from Soroptimist International of the Americas - Making A Difference for Women. (to name a few!)

"There is a lot of community interest and support for the Babies," said Stickney. "We usually take the Babies with us and speak to the organizations about the program when we ask for money. Many organizations are willing to give money to support the kids in our communities."

The Sorpotomist International of Billings also holds an annual fundraiser called, "A Night of Wine and Roses."  A Night of Wine and Roses provides a fun filled evening of tasting wine, bidding on the Silent Auction and delicious hors d'oeuvres.  A door prize is awarded and an exciting "Chinese Raffle" adds the finishing touch to this event.

As a result of all of these funding activities, Soroptomist International of Billings was able to purchase over 200 Babies. They have given 60 Babies to each of three different high schools in Billings, Montana (30 to each 11th grade family and consumer science class, and 30 to each 9th grade health class).  They have also given Babies to several surrounding communities as well.  Laurel High School has received 25 Babies and the three high schools in Bighorn County have each received 20.

The Baby Think It Over^® Program never used to be a required program for the students at the three Billings, Montana high schools (Billings MT School District #2).  However, ever since the teachers started using the program, they felt it important enough to require it as part of the 9th grade health curriculum. Billings MT School District #2 serves 15,731 students in Billings schools, grades K-12; of which 5,566 are high school students (grades 9-12). That's a lot of students who will be exposed to The Baby Think It Over^® Program...and some will be exposed twice if they take it again as an elective in the 11th grade FACS class!

According to Stickney, the teachers said that the program does require some extra work on their part, because of the extra equipment and time involved, but that it is well worth it!

"Teen pregnancy is an issue in our communities and in other communities, whether we want to admit it or not," said Stickney.  She is hoping that The Baby Think It Over^® Program will help by educating our young people about what it's like to have an infant and the responsibilites that go along with it.

For more information, you can visit the Soroptomist International of Billings web site at www.shopmt.com/sib