Chairman of the Board
A native of North Carolina, Sam Safrit served as a non-commissioned officer in Airborne and Special Forces units in Germany and Alaska from 1958-1962. He went on to build a career directing Research and Development units for several Fortune 500 companies and later joined his wife, Anne, in supporting Newborns in Need post-retirement. Every baby, every person, deserves a chance at freedom and opportunity – a theme that guides Sam’s life.
National Treasurer
A retired accountant, Peg has been with Newborns in Need since 1996. The Atlanta Journal published an article “Babies being buried in paper sacks” written about Carol Green, the NIN founder. That statement created a challenge to Peg to jump on the bandwagon and remedy the problem. She joined the Sugar Hill Chapter and is still active even though she has moved to Ormond Beach, Fl. She and her daughter and granddaughter (who started with NIN when she was 5) continue to provide burial outfits from donated wedding dresses. Peg is married to a retired military Senior Chief with 2 children, 5 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
National President
A marketing manager at Hanesbrands, Inc, Connie began her association with NIN after her first child was born prematurely. Months of traveling back and forth to NICU, she observed many new mothers who did not have the resources to handle the stress of babies being born into difficult health situations. Knowing she was lucky to have such a great support system, she started the first North Carolina Chapter of NIN and, in 2007, she became the National President. Married with two sons, Connie’s passion for NIN continues to be an important part of her life.
Regional Vice-President – West
Judy Giovanoni, a native of St. Louis, MO, began volunteering with NIN in 2002. President of All the Babies of Eastern Missouri Chapter and retired from a career in Information Technology as a Systems Analyst and Programmer, she believes God gives us talents that He expects us to use to serve others. She knits, crochets, and shops for clothing bargains to make a difference in a baby’s life. She has two daughters and four grandchildren.
Regional Vice-President East
Marty is a part time nurse, mother of two and grandmother of one. She started as a NIN volunteer in 2005, crocheting for babies. The wonderful volunteers of the chapter taught her to make quilts, burp cloths and other baby items. In 2014, the chapter president moved and asked Marty if she was interested in stepping into the position. Amazed to be considered, she took the role. With National leadership guidance to learn the monthly paperwork, and the strong chapter volunteer base, the chapter has doubled the annual amount of items delivered. Marty also enjoys reading and traveling with her husband.
National Secretary
Pat White retired in 2002 from Sara Lee Hosiery (now Hanesbrands, Inc.) as Purchasing Manager. She began volunteering with NIN when Connie Edwards formed the first NIN chapter in NC in 2000. Upon retirement, Pat became the local NIN chapter President to share her passion for helping others and also to use her sewing and crocheting talents. She retired as Chapter President in 2010; however, Pat continues to be actively involved with the Winston-Salem Chapter and National Board. Pat is married, the mother of two adult children and the proud grandmother of four.
Director of Social Media
Patty has been with Newborns in Need since 2008. She launched the Tidewater, Virginia Chapter and joined the board as Chapter Training Director in 2013. She spent her working career in merchandising and now happily retired, loves to spread the Newborns in Need mission by managing social media communication. Originally from the Milwaukee area and passionate about the Green Bay Packers, she is the mother of 3 and grandmother to 5. Patty now lives in Kannapolis, North Carolina. Her motto rings true: “If we use our talents for good, they will be multiplied.”
Board Member
Dr. Oriana Gelblung, a native of Argentina, moved to North Carolina in 2021 to further her career as a researcher at Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, NC. Having worked for multiple children’s welfare organizations in her home country, she joined Newborns in Need as a volunteer in June of 2021. As a physician whose future plans include devoting her practice to children’s health, she strongly believes that supporting our communities’ families in need is the finest investment in children’s futures.
Web Developer
Christy joined Newborns in Need in 2022. She is a librarian in Washington State where she lives with her husband and three children.