Rubin Communications Pulls the Community Together to Make Safe Sleeping a Holiday Priority

RCG has been working with CHIP of Chesapeake (Chesapeake Health Investment Program), 92.9 The Wave and WTKR NewsChannel 3 on behalf of Towne Place at Greenbrier to launch the sleeptight campaign. The purpose of the campaign is to provide low-income parents with a Pack ‘n Play crib at no cost and access to a safe-sleeping educational program, and the goal is to raise enough money to purchase 525 cribs for qualified families throughout the region.

The idea for the sleeptight was based on the fact that Chesapeake has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the Commonwealth, and Virginia’s is ranked 18^th nationally.  Many of these deaths are attributed to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and are often caused by unsafe sleeping conditions.  RCG and CHIP originally designed the campaign to help Chesapeake residents but has since grown to become a regional effort with the support of all CHIP and Healthy Families organizations throughout Hampton Roads.
In an effort to increase awareness of sleeptight, Rubin Communications Group coordinated media partnerships with WTKR NewsChannel 3 and 92.9 The Wave.

NewsChannel 3 supported the cause with a Phone Bank Fundraiser on Wednesday, November 12, the launch date of the campaign, in which funds for nearly 50 cribs were raised. As spokesperson for the campaign, news anchor Bianca Martinez, a mother of two, will be producing news stories and public service announcements throughout the holiday season to create educate the community about this issue and encourage their support.

92. 9 The Wave will be hosting two live remote broadcast events at Towne Place at Greenbrier on November 15 and December 13 (both from noon – 3 p.m.), featuring opportunities to spin The Wave’s Game Wheel.  Free prizes will be given to anyone who makes a donation, and for those who donate the full cost of a crib, Sterling’s Steakhouse will give away $40 “Brunch for Two” gift certificates.

The cost of each crib is $57, but donations of any size will be collected at all Towne Place at Greenbrier merchants through December 31.  Donations can also be made by contacting the CHIP of Chesapeake office at (757) 543-9100.

For more information about the sleeptight campaign, including a calendar of upcoming events and details about how you can help, please visit www.towneplaceatgreenbrier.com or www.sleeptighthamptonroads.org.