BERNALILLO, N.M. (KRQE) – As more counties in the state are looking to get Safe Haven Baby Boxes, firefighters in Bernalillo looked to raise funds to get one of their own. The town’s fire department held a fundraiser Saturday evening, looking to raise the funds needed to build the box at the town hall.
Due to the fact that the closest baby box to Bernalillo is currently in Valencia County, officials say it’s important for the entire metro area to have the resource closer to them. “When parents are in that state of crisis and they need that safe alternative, having them drive all the way; Belen’s not that far of a drive, but the more options they have, and the closer those options are, I believe, [it] definitely makes it easier fo them to acquire this resource,” says Mike Legendre, retired chief of the Bernalillo Fire Department.
Safe Haven Baby Box’s website shows there are currently 10 baby boxes in New Mexico. Those are in San Juan, Rio Arriba, Cibola, Valencia, Roosevelt, Lea Eddy, Otero, and Chaves counties.