A Year in Review: An Interview with Basically Babies’ Janet Sadowski and Chelsea Lee

Updated: Feb 22

"In 30 years Basically Babies has never said no or made a qualifying family with a newborn in need wait." -Basically Babies Operations Manager Chelsea Lee

By: Madison Keatings and Leanna Halabi

One year ago, Champions of Change wrote a blog post interviewing Janet Sadowski, co-founder, and board member of Basically Babies, an Alberta-based charity that outfits newborns in need. Basically Babies supports vulnerable families through the donation of layettes, baskets that contain over 120 items supplying a baby for their entire first year of life and beyond! To check out our previous blog post, click here.

To celebrate the progress and evolution of Basically Babies over the last year, Champions of Change had the pleasure of interviewing Janet Sadowski again, along with Operations Manager Chelsea Lee. These women devote their time and passion to making a difference in the lives of vulnerable families and newborns. Their compassion and commitment to Basically Babies have been integral to the positive change that has reached numerous families in need since the organization’s foundation. During 2023, Basically Babies expanded their operations in both Calgary and Edmonton—doubling the warehouse space in Edmonton with an additional 7000 square feet. This expansion was one of many highlights and achievements of the organization this year.

What was your most memorable experience with the organization during 2023?

Chelsea Lee: My most memorable experience was finally being able to do our fabulous Mother’s Day brunch after three years of not being able to do it. We were really excited to be able to do it again as it is a massive fundraiser for our organization. We also have very loyal participants who come to our Mother’s Day Brunch every year, so it was really fun to be able to see all of their faces again and hear all of their excitement. Additionally, I was very excited to be able to have volunteers in the warehouses again in a normal manner. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the charity really had to scale back. We couldn't have volunteers in the warehouse for an extended time, and we couldn't give tours of the space—which has an incredible impact on those who see it.

Janet: With opening back up after the Covid-19 pandemic and expanding our space as much as we have this past year, it has been really exciting to be able to rebuild our volunteer base and welcome them in our warehouses!

What is the Mother's Day Brunch and what will it look like this year?

For our Mother's Day Brunch this year we are doing one in Calgary on Saturday, May 4th, and one in Edmonton at the Delta Edmonton South on Saturday, May 11th. Tickets are going on sale in the next couple of weeks, and are 75$ a person. It’s a phenomenal event, including 300-400 women (plus men!), a silent auction with over 300 items, entertainment, and feature presentations. It is a lovely morning to spend celebrating moms, babies, sisters, and family!

What barriers did the organization face this year and how did you mitigate these challenges?

Janet Sadowski: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we had to cut back on our volunteers—they were either working from home or not working. A lot of our volunteers were seniors therefore when the pandemic ended we had a harder time bringing them back in and feeling comfortable doing so—even with the many safety precautions we have in place and our expanded space. So recruiting more volunteers and getting more people in has been more difficult in this past year. Furthermore, production needs continue to grow in the city for the layettes we are producing, and the families that need them. There is a massive need right now that is not going away. Therefore ensuring that we are well-positioned to meet the need that hit us has been another big challenge.

Chelsea Lee: We have mitigated these issues by cross-training our volunteers, doing as many tasks as possible on work nights, and recruiting as much help as possible. The added space has made it possible to have more positions open to have more volunteers at one time. In 30 years Basically Babies has never said no or made a qualifying family with a newborn in need wait.

What is one goal that Basically Babies wishes to achieve in the new year?

Chelsea Lee: This year I would like to recruit 40 new consistent production volunteers, work on continuing to get the word out there about our organization, and get more donation drives!

Janet Sadowski: As a board member, my goal for the year is to raise more awareness through blogs, magazine articles, radio, and TV. Whatever we can do to get the community to hear about who we are and what we do!

What items are most needed for donation right now?

Right now, snowsuits (0 to 6 months) and sleepers (size 18-24 months) are most needed. In a year Basically Babies goes through 18 to 20 thousand sleepers!

As a collective team, Champions of Changes hopes to assist Basically Babies in achieving their goals in the 2024 year by fundraising, raising awareness, and volunteering for the organization. This week Champions of Change is hosting a “Custom Candy Grams Fundraiser” in celebration of the season of love and the prosperous journey of Basically Babies thus far, where all proceeds will go to Basically Babies. Click here to place your custom candygram order, or come by our table in CCIS by Remedy Cafe on February 14th from 10 am-4 pm where we will have extra candygrams for purchase!

Other ways that you can get involved with the organization include volunteering and donating. Basically Babies is currently seeking volunteers who can devote three hours a week or more to assist in layette production. For more information about volunteering with Basically Babies, click here . Alternative ways you can get involved include financial donations or the donation of good-conditioned baby clothing and baby essentials. For donation policies and procedures, click here. Any form of support is greatly appreciated and welcomed by Basically Babies! For more information about the organization, head over to Basically Babies website: https://basicallybabies.org/wordpress/