Happy May, Healthy Starters!

May is a special and meaningful month, and we want to take a moment to honor all the ways Mother’s Day may show up in your life. However you experience this day, we see you. We’re here to support you, remind you that you’re never alone, and celebrate the incredible mother you are—every single day of the year.

Our Diaper Bank has been busier than ever! With a growing need in our community and many generous hands pitching in—including our amazing Volunteer of the Month—we’re working hard to keep our shelves stocked. Read on to learn how you can support this essential service and find the latest details on when and where to find us for diapers.

We also wanted to highlight our baby sprinkle event and thank all of our community partners for coming out and helping to bring our community together!

May is also an important month for us as we kick off our 2025 Dancing With The Martin Stars! You can always follow along and get updates through the Facebook page here!

Finally, we are leaning on our community members to help us bring a community-based birthing center to Martin County. We can't do it alone, and would love to highlight the community's voices directly to those who can assist in making this happen. More details can be found below.

Until next month,

Samantha and the Healthy Start Staff

Mother’s Day is more than just a date on the calendar—it’s a heartfelt tribute to the women who make our lives richer, brighter, and filled with love. Whether you packed the lunches, gave the best advice, or showed up with unwavering support, this day is for you. It’s a celebration of your strength, kindness, and the countless quiet ways you’ve made a lasting impact.

Today, we pause to honor all the incredible mothers, grandmothers, mother figures, and caregivers who shape our world with love. A handwritten note, a phone call, a warm hug, or even a moment of reflection—it all matters.

From all of us, Happy Mother’s Day.

Here’s to love, legacy, and the women who show us what it truly means to care.



We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the congregation of St. Mary’s for once again providing the beautiful and thoughtful Mother’s Day Bags. And a special thank you to the Junior League of Martin County for the handwritten cards that added a personal, meaningful touch. Our community continues to shine in showing love and appreciation to our moms.

Join us in celebrating our Volunteer of the Month, Efrosina!

From packing diapers to sorting clothes (and everything in between), Efrosina goes above and beyond to keep our shelves stocked and our community supported. We’re so grateful for her dedication, energy, and willingness to help wherever it’s needed. Thank you, Efrosina!

If you are interested in learning more about our volunteer opportunities, please click the link here.

Providing diapers and wipes through our Diaper Bank is one of the most impactful ways we support local families, offering a bit of financial relief during challenging times. Right now, we're out of size 5 and 6 diapers and 3T/4T and 4T/5T pull-ups, which are some of our most in-demand sizes. These are essentials for the families we serve, and we know our amazing community can help us restock.

If you're able, please consider donating a box. Every diaper counts!

• Drop off at our Outreach Center (Mon & Thurs): 735 S. Colorado Ave, Suite #110
• Send via our Amazon wish list here

Together, we can keep our shelves full and families supported.

We had the absolute BEST time at our 3rd Annual Community Baby Sprinkle at the City of Stuart Recreation!

A heartfelt thank you to all the families who joined us, and a big congratulations to the expecting parents in our community! From brand-new car seats and bassinets to diapers and wipes, we loved seeing families win some fantastic raffle prizes!

We want to thank the Junior League of Martin County for creating the cutest cutie-themed balloon arch and keeping the fun going with games and a coloring table.

The Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast was also extremely gracious in providing each of our families a day pass to the museum!

And finally, a huge thank you to our incredible partners who joined us:

• Sunshine Health - this year's title sponsor!
• Treasure Coast Food Bank
• Helping People Succeed
• Florida Blue
• Stuart Police Department
• City of Stuart Recreation
• Easterseals Florida
• That Fairy Britt

The 2025 season of Dancing With the Martin Stars is officially underway! We can’t reveal too much just yet—but trust us, you won’t want to miss what’s coming. Be sure to follow us on Facebook to stay in the loop for all the exciting announcements, sneak peeks, and behind-the-scenes fun.

Here’s a little hint to hold you over: Keep your weekends in September WIDE open!

Right now, expectant mothers in Martin County are facing a crisis. The nearest labor and delivery hospital unit has closed, leaving families without access to the care they need close to home. But together, we can change that.

Martin County Healthy Start is leading the effort to build a community-based maternity center. This center will offer safe, high-quality prenatal, delivery, postpartum, and neonatal care, right here in our own community.

This new center is more than just a building. It represents hope for healthier beginnings, a safer journey into parenthood, and a stronger future for Martin County families. It will also serve as a cost-effective model that can help other communities improve maternal and infant health outcomes while reducing the costs tied to high-risk pregnancies and NICU admissions.

We can’t do it without you.

Right now, the project is under consideration in both the Florida House and Senate. Your voice can help secure the funding needed to make this vision a reality.

How You Can Help

Please contact our local legislators today. A simple email can show that our community stands united for better access to maternity care.

Who to Contact:

Senator Gayle Harrell

Harrell.gayle@flsenate.gov

• Thank you for sponsoring the Treasure Coast Maternity Center Phase 1 Local Funding Initiative Request #1223.

• I support this critical community initiative led by Martin County Healthy Start.

• With the loss of local labor and delivery services, this project is more urgent than ever.

• Please continue your efforts to keep this funding in the 2025–2026 state budget.

Representative Toby Overdorf

toby.overdorf@myfloridahouse.gov

• Thank you for sponsoring Appropriation Project Request #3499 for the Treasure Coast Maternity Center.

• I support this important community-based solution led by Martin County Healthy Start.

• The need for local maternity care is urgent following the hospital unit closure.

• Your leadership to secure funding in the state budget is greatly appreciated.

Representative John Snyder

john.snyder@myfloridahouse.gov

• I’m writing in support of Appropriation Project Request #3499 for the Treasure Coast Maternity Center.

• This is a timely and vital solution to a growing gap in care in Martin County.

• Thank you for your consideration and support of this initiative in the upcoming budget.

More information can be found here:

Senate Appropriation Form #1223

House Appropriation Form #3499

Together, we can make sure every family in Martin County has access to safe, local maternity care. Your voice matters. Your advocacy can help bring this center to life and create a healthier future for our community.