In the spring of 2022, co-founders Melissa Dantzig and Diana Keller launched Little Miracles to provide free baby essentials to Tri-Valley families experiencing financial difficulties. The all-volunteer nonprofit receives no state or federal funding and counts on local grants and private individual donors to fund its mission of assisting hundreds of local families per year. Little Miracles collects new and gently used baby essentials such as cribs, clothing, car seats, and strollers from people who want to help a local family in need. The nonprofit accepts applications from Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, and San Ramon residents.

“What makes our organization special is the heartfelt level of care and compassion we extend to each client,” says Dantzig, who is also CEO. “By offering them tangible resources such as diapers, baby formula, strollers, and car seats, we fill an immediate need to help alleviate the financial stress and burden of providing for their child. Equally important, Little Miracles provides hope and assurance to our clients that their local community supports and celebrates young families. We envision a community where all new parents are embraced, equipped, and empowered to care for their baby.”

Parents in need apply to Little Miracles online to request specific baby items and to explain why they need assistance. Little Miracle volunteers inspect, sort, clean, and organize incoming donations as well as fill client orders. Individuals, businesses, and philanthropic organizations hold donation drives to bolster the nonprofit’s inventory as well as contribute monetary donations that keep the nonprofit in operation.

“Our applicants come from varying circumstances such as a sudden job loss, health crisis, unexpected pregnancy, and domestic violence,” notes Dantzig. “Our clients have spanned six decades, from teen parents to grandparents raising their grandchildren. Although our clients all come to us with their unique story, one thing they all have in common is the genuine expression of gratitude for their gifts.”

Maintaining a steady supply of diapers is the number one inventory challenge for Little Miracles. “Diaper insecurity is also our clients’ biggest challenge; without exception, every applicant has requested diapers,” she adds. “Businesses can play an important role in solving this dilemma by hosting an office diaper drive or a toiletry drive. There is also a need for corporations to support Little Miracles through employee matching, grants, and donations. We invite businesses to schedule a corporate workday to help organize donations and fill client orders.”

In addition to its daily support program, in December Little Miracles hosted a Holiday Miracle Event where client families enjoyed a “round trip to the North Pole” to visit Santa. At the event, parents were able to select a new toy, a new blanket, and a book for their babies. Over the course of 2024, the co-founders hope Little Miracles will be included in community and fundraising events that promote awareness of its mission and raise needed funds to aid the clientele it serves. “The Tri-Valley, by many standards, is an affluent, bustling community,” says Dantzig. “In our community, we have a group of people who have the desire and resources to help. Within that same community, we have folks who really struggle to make ends meet and provide for their children. We strive to create a platform that bridges both sectors of people and elevates everyone involved.”

For more information about Little Miracles, Inc., please visit www.littlemiraclespleasanton.org, www.instagram.com/littlemiraclesp or www.facebook.com/littlemiraclesp.