Talia Poremba (10) and Regina Copeland (10) are holding two baby care fundraising events, Cradled Con Amor and Walk in the Park Nov. 15. These two events are part of Poremba and Copeland’s larger personal partner project, Con Amor, that began October 2024. Since then, they have organized fundraisers, run donation drives and expanded their outreach to other schools and organizations. 

“Cradled con Amor is a baby care drive to support those in need within the greater St. Louis area,” Poremba said. “It is hosted at various locations, including Ladue High School, International Schoolhouse and the Jewish Federation, from Nov. 3-21. On the other hand, Walk in the Park is our partner event, hosted at Stacy Park, where families can come and drop off donations while enjoying breakfast and facepainting.”

These two events specifically seek to help Hispanic families, as a lack of essential supplies has become a prominent problem among different communities. The decision to focus on this particular group was also deeply personal for the organizers; both were directly connected to their personal backgrounds through the effort.

“I was inspired because I wanted to give back to the local community and culture, which is my Peruvian heritage,” Poremba said. “I also knew that baby care necessities are often overlooked, yet so important.”

Despite the success and anticipation surrounding the event that will take place Nov. 15, obstacles are inevitable, and Poremba and Copeland encountered some logistical issues.

“While planning the drive, we faced some scheduling problems,” Poremba said. “This led to an inability in hosting our drive in specific locations because some were already committed to hosting another drive at around the same time as ours. However, I think me and [Copeland]’s dedication allowed us to overcome this.”

After successfully planning and beginning a drive, Poremba and Copeland have learned countless valuable lessons in leadership and teamwork. Poremba emphasized the importance of passion, strategy and collaboration.

“[My piece of advice] would be to start small but think big,” Poremba said. “Find an issue that truly matters to you, something you care about enough to stay motivated. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help or collaborate because most people are happy to support a good cause. Plan carefully, stay organized and remember that even small actions can make a real difference.”

Beyond the logistics and donated supplies, the emotional impact on the planners is often the deepest measure of fulfillment. For Poremba, the most gratifying part of the entire experience weren’t the actual donations, but the overwhelming response from the community itself.

“The most rewarding moment for me was when I saw how many people came together to support the drive,” Poremba said. “It made me feel proud that our community cared so much and that we could truly make a difference in the lives of those who need it.”