The need for helping Syrian refugees is pretty critical, and it’s hitting home with some Petworth residents. They’re participating in an effort to collect gently used baby carriers for refugees arriving in Europe through a non-profit called Carry the Future.

And they’re hoping other Petworth residents can help.

Carry the Future is an organization that meets refugees as they arrive in Europe, and fits parents of babies and toddlers with carriers to help ease the burden and provide comfort and security on the next leg of their journey.

There are lots of ways that folks can participate:

- Donate a gently used carrier (like a Baby Bjorn, Lillebaby, Mei Tai, or Ergo) at a variety of drop off locations anytime before Dec 15th, or at a Petworth home on Saturday Dec 12th (maybe before heading to the Upshur Street Art and Craft Fair?) We are asking for $5 per carrier, too, to offset shipping costs. Any excess funds will be donated directly to Carry the Future. As a special bonus, consider packing the carrier's pocket with a note, protein bar, baby food pouch, or anything else that might ease a refugee's journey

Drop off sites and other information can be found on their Facebook page (one drop-off site is in Petworth on Emerson Street).

- If you don't have a carrier to donate, shop off Carry the Future's Amazon wish list.

Learn more about Carry the Future on their website or Facebook page.

Please note that Carry the Future requests softly-structured carriers only, not wraps or slings.