CITRA, FL (352today.com) – It was an untoward experience occurring more than 50 years ago that would transform lives, and lead to something far greater.

Monica Kelsey, founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, was one of the speakers at the dedication and blessing of the region’s newest baby box, at the Marion County Fire and Rescue Station 2 in Citra, on Sept. 29. Marion County Commissioner Matt McClain provided the blessing.

“The baby boxes will play a large role in helping to save abandoned babies and their moms in this community,” said Kelsey. “This is the 380th baby box in the nation. Every time I say that number it just solidifies the fact. This is a movement across this country. We are saving babies along the way. We’ve had six surrenders in the last 18 days [nationwide]. It’s amazing to see. Women are trusting us and babies are being saved, and that truly is a blessing for all of us.”

Safe Haven Baby Boxes is committed to making sure that they’re educating and bringing resources to moms in every state in this country, said Kelsey.

A Personal Connection

Kelsey shared a story, one that was moving and whose visceral effect was palpable. It was of a personal nature, but resonated powerfully throughout the station, serving as a reminder of how important the blessing of life truly is.

“I literally have to take you back a few years to get you to understand where the passion comes from,” said Kelsey. “I’m going to take you back to Aug. 1972, when a young 17-year-old girl was brutally attacked, raped and left alongside of the road, and this was in 1972 when abortion was illegal in the United States, even in the cases of rape and incest.”

The girl’s assailant was arrested and charged, said Kelsey. However, that wasn’t the end of the story, as the young woman, who was in the process of getting her life back to normal, found out she was pregnant.

“She was hidden for the remainder of the pregnancy, and then she gave birth in April of 1973 and abandoned her child, two hours after that child was born, and that child was me,” said Kelsey, whose passion is palpable, and she’s dedicated her life to this particular ministry. She thanked Marion County and Marion County Fire and Rescue. “I can’t wait to see what Christ does for us in this community.”

Marion County Fire and Rescue Chief James Banta was also in attendance to thank everyone for coming out to Marion County Fire and Rescue Station no. 2 in Citra for the dedication and blessing of the second Safe Haven Baby Box in Marion County.

“It shows a commitment to Marion County and our community,” said Banta.

A few years ago, a concerned citizen came to Marion County Commission Vice Chair Carl Zalak, III, with the idea, and he was extremely supportive of it. This is an example of how Marion County as a community is making a difference

“Today’s event is a great opportunity, and it just shows something really cool to our community,” said Zalak, III. “Instead of dropping off your baby, and having all of the consequences, this physical structure, that serves as a firehouse becomes a beacon of hope, safety and compassion for mothers in crisis when they don’t know what to do. We need a little bit of opportunity, and we need something to say that it’s going to be okay, and that’s what Safe Haven Baby Boxes brings to us.”

Zalak thanked Marion County Fire and Rescue and Marion Facilities for their unwavering support. He also thanked the Citra Improvement Society for the donation of the land to making the fire station a reality.