Every baby deserves a healthy start, and the Charlotte County Healthy Start Coalition works around the clock to ensure that information and services are provided to area families in need of their support. It’s not all work and no play, however, and at 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 11 they’ll be celebrating an early Valentine’s Day with a Show the Love luncheon at Carrabba’s Italian Grill. It’s a fundraising event, of course, but it’s also an opportunity for area residents, service providers, business leaders, and health care advocates to enjoy a delicious lunch, visit with friends, and participate in gift basket raffles. There will also be a door prize and a 50/50 drawing with proceeds to benefit Charlotte County moms and babies.

Healthy Start was signed into law on June 4, 1991. Its purpose is “to ensure local leadership and planning for a system of care and promote optimum health outcomes for pregnant women and infants,” according to their website “Healthy Start Facts” at www.charlottecountyhealthystart.com. Nancy Kraus has served as the Charlotte County Healthy Start Executive Director since 1995. “Doctors, nurses, and other area health care professionals join together to evaluate each pregnancy in order to help expectant moms deliver healthier babies, reduce infant mortality, and improve the overall health and development of Charlotte County children,” she explained. “Newborns are screened to determine the types of services they might need for a healthy start in life.”