Save the Children’s newly inducted artist ambassador, Disney star and recording artist Bridgit Mendler, launches a volunteer project that will allow parents to have fun while doing something good for babies around the world
Save the Children’s one-of-a kind teen volunteer project, called #BabySitIn, treats parents to a guilt-free night (or day) on the town while helping the world’s babies get a healthy start. By teaming up with their favorite babysitter to hold a #BabySitIn, parents get to have some fun, teens get engaged in a good cause, and together they help make this world a better place for babies.
“As parents, we often feel a pang of guilt when leaving our kids at home to go out with our spouse or friends. That’s why Save the Children came up with the #BabySitIn idea,” said Carolyn Miles, president and CEO for Save the Children. “It gives parents a much deserved break so they can go to the movies or on a dinner date while at the same time supporting teens to help babies everywhere get a strong and healthy start. No guilt involved!”
Every day, 18,000 children around the world don’t make it to their fifth birthday, losing their lives to mostly preventable and treatable diseases like diarrhea and pneumonia. Meanwhile, in the United States, kids living in poverty are developmentally 18 months behind their peers by age four. Yet, two out of five children in America are not enrolled in preschool.
To help more babies have a stronger start in life, Save the Children is calling on all babysitters to hold a #BabySitIn between Mother’s Day on May 11 and Father’s Day on June 15.
Here is how a #BabySitIn works:
A teen volunteers his/her babysitting time to a family; the family gives a donation to Save the Children in the babysitter’s name; and Save the Children uses that donation to help the world’s babies and toddlers. Then, everyone spreads the word through social media. To get involved, visit: www.savethechildren.org/
Bridgit Mendler Kicks Off #BabySitIn
Save the Children’s newest artist ambassador, actress, platinum-selling recording artist and youth advocate Bridgit Mendler, known for her star role on the Disney Channel’s Good Luck Charlie series, kicked off the #BabySitIn campaign in Washington, D.C. during Save The Children’s Advocacy Summit.
“I am so excited to launch the #BabySitIn campaign with Save the Children, especially because it empowers kids to change the world by helping other kids,” said Mendler, who made the announcement last Tuesday at Save the Children’s Advocacy Summit. “It’s an easy way for kids to help little ones everywhere get a healthy start and an opportunity to learn just by doing something they do most weekends anyway.”
Other guest speakers that joined Mendler at the Advocacy Summit include Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Senator John Boozman (R-AR), Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Congressman Richard Hanna (R-NY), Andrea Mitchell of MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell Reports, Cokie Roberts of ABC and NPR, and CNN’s Kevin Madden and Stephanie Cutter.
Designed to encourage youth across America to become advocates for children around the globe, Save the Children’s Advocacy Summit was broadcasted live online on April 8 and April 9. To view the live stream videos, visit: www.savethechildren.org/
Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in 120 countries, including the United States. We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities. In times of acute crisis, we mobilize rapid assistance to help children recover from the effects of war, conflict and natural disasters. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Photo by Joshua Roberts for Save the Children.