Patron Saint of the Holy Innocents Task Force: Saint Gerard Majella Most Blessed Trinity, we, Your children, thank You for all the gifts and privileges which You granted to Saint Gerard, especially for those virtues with which You adorned him on earth and the glory which You now impart to him in heaven. Accomplish Your work, O Lord, so that Your kingdom may come about on earth. Through his merits in union with those of Jesus and Mary, grant us protection for your children, especially those who lack a secure place to sleep and safety while traveling.
And you, our powerful intercessor, Saint Gerard, always so ready to help those who have recourse to you, pray for us. Come before the throne of Divine Mercy and do not leave without being heard. To you we confide this important and urgent affair, the security and safety of children. Graciously take our cause in hand and do not let us end this prayer without experiencing the effects of your intercession. Amen.

Together, we can ensure that every child is safely tucked in!

Her name was Angela. She liked chocolate chip cookies and coloring books.

She was only two when she died, a tragic casualty of an automobile accident. The reason? Angela was not strapped into a car seat. In fact, Angela’s family didn’t even own a car seat. Money was tight for the young family, and what we view as a necessity was seen as an expense- the true value of which they are only now realizing. Little Angela is gone. She is listed as a highway statistic- a mere number to some, an example of neglect to others. But Angela is much more that that. She is an inspiration for action.

The need is great. We must respond.

You might be surprised to learn that Angela represents countless children facing unsafe conditions in Southern Nebraska. She is but one precious example of why the Holy Innocents Force was formed.

Many families in need approach social service organizations in Southern Nebraska. The organizations help as much as possible, but unfortunately the need outweighs resources available.

Social workers are frustrated because they are unable to fulfill two basic necessities—a safe place for a child to sleep and a safe seat for them to travel in. These items are a matter of life and death. They must regularly deny aid to young families who are financially challenged. One worker laments, “I have worked at an agency where mothers come to us for cribs. We are very short of cribs, and often have to turn mothers away.

“I feel like the innkeeper who turned Joseph and Mary away, causing our newborn King to sleep in a straw-filled manger.”

How you can help.

After reviewing the level of need in Southern Nebraska, we have set the goal of obtaining 100 cribs (estimated cost of $135) and 100 car seats (estimated cost of $50) annually. It is important that we provide safe, new models that meet the latest safety specifications. This means that our monetary goal is $18,500.00 annually.

Every penny contributed to the Holy Innocents Task Force is spent on families in need.

There are no administrative fees. We are all volunteers.

We ask that you prayerfully consider helping these children.

We are challenging Church groups to commit to one crib and one car seat per year. Retail stores may donate cribs and car seats directly. Individual donations of any amount are greatly appreciated.