Archives: Donor Pages
Contact us:
1155 Wildlife Lodge Road
Lower Burrell, PA 15068
Phone: 724.339.9399
Fax: 724.334.2329
Email: info@trylife.center
Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Friday – Closed
Red Door Donation Hours:
Monday & Wednesday
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday
10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
No Donations Received on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
We can’t do it with YOU!
Your support provides us with enhanced reliability, efficiency, and planning in our use of resources as we work to help families succeed.
In 2022, we served 181 distinct clients over 1549 client appointments thanks to your generosity! That was a 38% increase in client appointments over the previous year!
Financial Donations
Your financial contributions enable us to provide free and ongoing support, education, and resources to families in our community. If you would like to make a one-time or monthly financial donation, you can do so online by clicking the button below.
We also accept financial donations by mail or in person. If you would like to speak to our staff about your financial donations, please call the finance office at 724-339-9399 ext. 105 or email finance@trylife.center.
Examples of how your gift will help:
$500 Fully support a family for one month
$250 Brand new crib, mattress, and safe bedding for one child
$150 One limited OB ultrasound appointment
$100 One client appointment providing education or support
$50 One pregnancy testing or material assistance appointment
$25 One pack of diapers and wipes
Material Donations
TryLife Center is blessed to receive items daily from generous individuals and families in our community. If you have something to donate, please go to the red door in the middle of the building anytime during our donation hours and ring the bell for assistance. Tax-receipts are available during donation hours.
Donation Hours
- Monday & Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Tuesday & Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Friday, Saturday, & Sunday – CLOSED
Please do not leave items outside the building when we are closed – they are often ruined by the elements.
What Items Can I Donate?
We accept any new or gently used items for parents, infants, and young children (up to 3 years old). Common items include:
- Diapers or Pull-Ups/Training Pants (new, unopened)
- Baby Wipes (new, unopened)
- Formula, baby food, toddler food, Pedialyte, etc. (new, unopened)
- Baby and kids clothing up to size 4T
- Baby and kids hygiene items (new, unopened)
- Baby and kids furniture items: changing tables, bassinets, Pack ‘N Plays, baby baths, jumpers, walkers, exersaucers, etc.*
- Toys (appropriate for 3 or under)
- Feminine hygiene products (pads, tampons, postpartum hygiene, disposable underwear/diapers, soaps, shampoo, etc.)
- Breastfeeding supplies (new breast pumps, nipple butter, breast pads, bottles, etc.)
- Sensitive/baby friendly laundry detergent
- Maternity clothing
Items we CANNOT accept include:
- Adult Clothing (we only accept maternity clothing)
- Opened or expired food products
- USED Car Seats or Booster Seats*
- USED Cribs*
- USED Crib Mattresses
- USED Stuffed Animals
- Household or furniture items such as couches, dressers, lamps, decorative items, etc. (we only accept baby or kid-specific furniture or household items)
*Per our insurance policy, we are not permitted to give away or donate used cribs or used car seats.
Please call ahead if you are unsure if we accept your donations. It costs us to dispose of large items we cannot accept, which is money better spent on providing for our clients’ needs. Call us at 724-339-9399 for a list of other charitable organizations that may accept your items.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity!
Other Ways You Can Help
- Become a monthly financial supporter!
- Volunteer with us
- Participate in a fundraiser or upcoming event
- Host a baby bottle campaign, diaper drive, or shower
- Tell your friends about us
- Pray for our center, clients, and staff
Read our latest Annual Report to learn more about our impact:
Click here to download.
What Our Clients Are Saying…
Tiffanee’s Story
“TryLife, where do I begin…
“I was 40 years old coming into this pregnancy. I was 26 at the birth of my first child, Nygel, unwed and not exactly happy about my situation. After all these years, I never dreamed that I would be in the same situation. I wasn’t even sure I could carry a baby to term, especially at my age with all the medical conditions I’ve suffered through.
“2020 was rough for me. I’d been in jail for 5 months, was released because of COVID, only to end up in a major car accident and then end up pregnant to a man who did not want to be with me. I was reeling to say the least. Unhappy about a pregnancy that was my heart’s desire. The situation wasn’t ideal, but I pushed through. After the birth of my daughter, her father abandoned us. He spent my whole pregnancy with me only to disappear whenever Navi came into the world.
“TryLife provided me with a place to go. A safe haven to speak. The help and the education I needed. Endless resources. It helped me to keep the faith. I was mad at God. I didn’t understand why I was reliving a negative situation. Nygel’s dad is gone and Navi’s dad didn’t want her. I was able to come to TryLife and have good people pray with me and for me. I was able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, even when I felt like giving up. I love coming to TryLife Center and will forever be grateful for the care I have received.”
Abigail’s Story
“I will never forget the first day I walked into TryLife. I had my son that was only a couple months old, and I had no idea what great blessings I was about to experience! I was welcomed with open arms and soon TryLife was like my family… everyone listened to my story and was there to give me good advice. I was a first-time mom, not married, trying to figure out what I was supposed to do with my life. TryLife encouraged me to watch educational videos with topics on raising infants, spiritual teachings, and everyday life lessons such as budgeting, getting out of debt, relationships, work, daycare etc.
“I always seen advertisements for TryLife Center and thought they were there to help girls out that were pregnant and did not know what to do. Was I wrong! They are there not just to help a girl out that finds out she is pregnant and not knowing what to do, but also for girls that have babies already and for dads and married couples looking to learn everything they can about raising a child and other life lessons, and in the process, earn points to spend in the store for baby clothes, diapers, wipes, formula, toys, cribs, car seats, and everything you can think of for a baby!! Also, Maternity clothes for expecting mothers!
“TryLife Center also gives one on one time to talk about your life. They always are ready to give sound and good advice. They have helped me with advice about my relationship with my now husband and advice on raising babies. I now have a little girl too!
“I have learned how to trust God for everything, and He will provide. I have learned each milestone my children should be hitting and at what age. I have learned how to handle a child with tantrums and strong wills. I have learned how to discipline a child. Now I was raised in a good, structured home, and I had learned a lot over the years, but with each video I watch it refreshes me on things I already knew or gives me a new idea how to handle something differently. Recently they have started doing a sermon each month that you can earn double the points and you learn so much in those sermons! Also, with each video you watch you can do a worksheet to earn extra points and helps you remember what you learned! Then there is also homework to take home and recap what you learned from the video you watched and again you earn more points!!
“I have not had to buy clothes for my two children and very few diapers and wipes because I try to make an appointment once a week and save points to exchange for things the children need! My Children love coming to because they love picking out toys from the toy section!!
“TryLife Center has become my second family. I have seen many volunteers come and go, but with each one all hold a special place in my heart and make it feel like family. You are always welcome, and it is a safe place to tell them anything and they will help you through life!”
Bertrand’s Story
Bertrand is a single father of two boys, Bertrand, Jr. and Zion. Their mother left when Zion was a little baby, and Bertrand never expected to be raising two little boys on his own. Zion has sickle cell anemia, which is very hard on him and, of course, hard on Bertrand, too.
“Sometimes I just don’t know what to do. I work as a school bus driver part-time so that I can be home with my boys most of the time.”
He took the boys out to play one day and realized he was in a tough spot, not sure he had the knowledge or power to help his sons be the men they need to be. He started to cry and Bertrand Jr. put his arms around his father’s and said, “It’s OK, Daddy.” He decided then and there that they were a team and were going to get through it together.
Suddenly he remembered that when Bertrand Jr. was a little baby, he and their mother went to the TryLife Center, where they got help with a car seat, crib, stroller, formula and diapers. This time we offered him counseling and education, as well as help with clothes for the boys, cereal, juice, food, and what the boys like most – toys!
“The ladies who work [at TryLife]– I call them saints, because they give me moral, psychological and spiritual support. The counselors who work there are teaching me how to be a good father and mother. I’m not a church-going man, but I feel like TryLife is my Tabernacle, because of the light and joy I feel when I go there. Now I’m not only surviving as a parent, but I’m personally doing well.”
Current Needs
We need committed, monthly financial supporters!
Can you give $25, $50, or $100 a month to support us as we work to help families succeed?
Learn how financial donations help us help families!
Because the material assistance at TryLife Center is mainly provided through donations from the community, sometimes we do not have enough of something that our clients need. This page is updated regularly to share urgent material assistance needs. Our goal is to provide everything that our clients need to care for their young children!
Items Needed
If you would like to donate some new items, please consider these!
- Diapers:
- Preemie
- Newborn
- Sizes 4 through 7
- Pull-Ups/Training Pants:
- Size 2T-3T
- Size 3T-4T
- Size 4T-5T
- Baby Wipes
- Baby Soaps, Shampoos, and Lotions
- Diaper Rash Ointment
- Pedialyte (for children under 3)
- Formula:
- Any preemie formula
- Similac Sensitive
- Similac Total Comfort
- Similac Pro Total Comfort
- Enfamil Gentlease (Regular, not Neuro-pro)
- or any other kind of formula… we can always use it!
How to Donate
Items can be dropped off in person at our center or shipped to us. For shipping please use the following address: TryLife Center | 1155 Wildlife Lodge Road | Lower Burrell, PA 15068
If you choose to drop off, please come to our red donations door during our donation hours, and ring the bell for service. Please do not leave donations outside the building during off hours – they are often ruined by the elements. Tax receipts are available upon drop-off during donation hours.
Donation Hours
- Monday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: CLOSED
Thank you for your generosity! You are helping helping families succeed!
Volunteers Are Essential!
We would not be able to operate if it weren’t for our volunteers! We have volunteer opportunities in all departments, with many commitment levels, and for people with all kinds of different skills and talents. Below you can see our volunteer opportunities and requirements.
Ready to volunteer? Click the button below to apply today!
General Volunteer Qualifications/Requirements:
- Ability and willingness to demonstrate personal commitment to the mission, values, and beliefs of TryLife Center in the execution of any position responsibilities
- Ability to respect confidentiality
- Ability to complete required trainings (if applicable)
- Additional qualifications may apply and are listed per position (qualifications and requirements are subject to change)
Volunteer Positions
Building Maintenance
We need volunteers throughout the year to help us with the upkeep of our building and property (generally on an as needed basis) or with special projects. Email director@trylife.center for more information or apply here.
Additional Qualifications:
- Must be at least 18 years old
Childcare Assistant
Our Childcare Assistant volunteers supervise children in the play area (Lois’ Cottage) while parents participate in our Program. It is such a blessing to parents when they can have a few moments to themselves at the Center to focus on their goals, and kids LOVE our play area! Email clientservices@trylife.center for more information or apply here.
Additional Qualifications:
- Childcare or babysitting experience
- Must be at least 18 years or older OR 15 years old with references, clearances, and a work permit
- Current clearances and Mandated Reporter training required
Client Assistant
Our client assistants are absolutely vital to the operation of our Family Program. Client assistants are trained to help clients select and complete educational videos, shop in our store, and provide clients with a warm, supportive experience at the Center. Email clientservices@trylife.center for more information or apply here.
Additional Qualifications:
- Must be at least 18 years or older
- Current clearances and Mandated Reporter training required
- Proficient computer skills preferred (you’ll be trained either way!) and willingness to be trained on different types of software
- A sincere desire to interact with our clients and their families with unconditional love, acceptance, support, and understanding
- Available to volunteer during client hours (weekly or biweekly commitments are ideal, but we appreciate any support!)
Church or Community Partner
Is your church or other organization looking for a local, faith-based nonprofit to support or partner with? We would love to speak with you about how we can support you, how you can support us, and how we can work together to better our community! Check out some of our suggested group volunteer activities. Email director@trylife.center with ideas or for more information.
Development Assistant
We welcome volunteers with demonstrated grant writing and fundraising experience to help us meet our development goals. Email director@trylife.center for more information or apply here.
Drivers
We need dedicated volunteers to 1.) drive our Mobile Medical Unit (days/hours vary) and 2.) assist as needed with pick up and/or drop off of donations and other supplies from the Westmoreland County Food Bank, Sam’s Club, churches, the Western PA Diaper Bank, etc. Email director@trylife.center for more information or apply here.
Additional Qualifications:
- Must be 21 years or older
- Hold a valid PA driver’s license and clean driving record
- Available during Mobile Unit and/or office hours, or as needed
In-Kind Donations Assistant
A position for those who love to organize! We are incredibly blessed by the many donations that come through our infamous red door from the community. Our in-kind donations assistants help to sort, clean, and count/track all donations that we receive before they are made available to our clients. You may be asked to help keep the store area tidy and organized. Email clientservices@trylife.center for more information or apply here.
Additional Qualifications:
- May need to lift heavy items
- Available to volunteer during Red Door donation hours
Marketing, Social Media, & Community Relations Volunteers
Are you a social media or marketing guru, or do you possess the unique gift of connecting a community to a cause? We welcome volunteers with relevant experience to help us expand our impact! Email marketing@trylife.center for more information or apply here.
Medical Volunteers
We are hoping to create a pool of qualified medical professionals (specifically registered nurses and sonographers) to volunteer their time and talents to the TLC Clinic and Mobile Medical Unit. Our clinic/medical unit provides free services including limited OB ultrasounds, pregnancy testing, STI testing, and HIV/Hep C screening. Email director@trylife.center for more information or apply here.
Additional Requirements:
- Must be 21 years or older
- Hold a valid PA driver’s license and clean driving record
- Current clearances
- Proof of medical certification/license, as applicable
- Available during Mobile Unit and/or clinic office hours
Office/Admin Assistant
Our office/admin assistant volunteers bless the Center by completing various clerical and administrative tasks such as coordinating our Baby Bottle Campaigns, assisting with mailings, etc. Email director@trylife.center for more information or apply here.
Additional Qualifications:
- Available to volunteer during office hours, usually as needed
Prayer Team
Prayer is the #1 way you can help. We believe that prayer is essential to everything we do here at TryLife Center, and we are always blessed and encouraged when we are supported in prayer. If you are interested in becoming a member of our Prayer Team, email director@trylife.center and we will email you monthly prayer requests for the Center.
Other
If you have a talent to share that is not listed, reach out and let us know how you want to help. We may not always be able to immediately accommodate, but we love new ideas! We also welcome groups, and will work with you to organize an appropriate project. Email director@trylife.center for more information.
Apply Now!
Ready to volunteer? Click the button below to apply! Remember, you can apply for multiple positions or opportunities, or let us know what other skills and talents you can bring to the table!
Join Our Team
We do not currently have any open positions. Please check back periodically.
Volunteer with us!
We are blessed by the many volunteers who donate their time and talents to TryLife Center.
Our volunteers assist with client visits, sorting donations, building maintenance, and more on a weekly, biweekly, monthly, or an as-needed basis.
If you’d like to learn more about opportunities to help, contact clientservices@trylife.center or click here to see a full list of volunteer opportunities.
Ready to volunteer now? Click the button below!
Looking for group opportunities?
Is your church or other organization looking for a local, faith-based nonprofit to support or partner with? We would love to speak with you about how we can support you, how you can support us, and how we can work together to better our community!
Here are a few ideas for groups:
Hold a Baby Bottle Campaign
Many churches, organizations, and businesses regularly hold Baby Bottle Campaigns to raise funds to support our “Parent & Baby” program. The participants distribute our specially designed baby bottles and ask their members/patrons to fill the bottles with loose change, cash and checks over a period of time, usually a few weeks. Once the bottles are returned to the Center, we calculate all donations and acknowledge the host(s) of the campaign in our newsletter.
We also have virtual and hybrid options! Check out our virtual Baby Bottle Campaign here. You can create your own team, customize your team’s page, and set your own goal amount. If you want to host a hybrid campaign that also uses baby bottles, just call the Center and let us know how many bottles you need.
Our goal is to reach $25,000 in 2022 in celebration of our 25th anniversary! All proceeds from our Baby Bottle Campaigns directly support our Parent and Baby Program.
Organize A Diaper Drive
1 in 3 families struggles to afford diapers and wipes, especially if they have more than one young child. Until a child is potty-trained, usually between 24-36 months, the cost is nearly $100 a month for diapers alone. Without an adequate supply of diapers, children cannot go to childcare and without childcare, parents cannot go to school or work.
TryLife Center supplies nearly 20,000 diapers to our families each year. We are able to do this because of the generous contributions from local churches, clubs, schools, and individuals.
We are always in need of:
- Diapers up to Size 7
- Pull-Ups/Training Pants up to 4T-5T
- Baby Wipes
Contact your church, school, friends, family, or community and organize a drive!
Contact clientservices@trylife.center to get more information, promotional materials, and to get your drive started!
Host a Baby Shower
Option 1: Organize and host a baby shower at your church or in your community to benefit TryLife Center. Invite guests to bring a gift for moms and/or babies. Our moms always appreciate it when we have self-care items available, such as body lotion, body wash, etc. New baby essentials such as diaper rash cream, formula, sensitive laundry detergent, sealed teethers, clothing, and toys are always welcome!
Option 2: At your baby shower, ask your guests to bring an item to donate and fill a crib or pack ‘n’ play for TryLife Center. Incorporate it as one of your shower games and offer your guests extra raffle tickets for each item they bring to donate!
Contact clientservices@trylife.center to get more information, promotional materials, and to get started!
Host a Mom Drive!
We want to help our kids and their parents meet their needs! Quality feminine products can be expensive and hard to find. Unfortunately, we rarely get donations of these products. We want to take the weight of meeting those basic hygienic needs off our moms’ shoulders. Here are some new items that our clients love to have:
- Pads (Always, Kotex, Stayfree, L., Rael, Lola, Organyc, etc.)
- Tampons (Tampax, Kotex, Playtex, L., Lola, Honest, etc.)
- Menstrual Cups
- Post-Partum Hygiene Products (Large Pads or Disposable Underwear, Witch Hazel, Peri Bottle, Cooling/Heating Pads, Burn/Itch Spray, etc.)
- Breastfeeding Supplies (Breast Pumps, Breast Pads, Lanolin Cream, Storage Bags, etc.)
- Body Wash and Bar Soap
- Shampoo and Conditioner
- Deodorant
- Some wants (sugar scrubs, face masks, perfumes, lotions, etc.)
Contact clientservices@trylife.center to get more information, promotional materials, and to get your drive started!
Helping Families Succeed
TryLife Center is a faith-based, nonprofit pregnancy and family resource center. We are dedicated to promoting the life of the unborn child and ensuring the well-being of their parents and families.
Humble Beginnings
TryLife Center began in 1997 as Tri-City Life Center with a small office in New Kensington. We started by supporting young pregnant women who were facing unplanned pregnancies. Our staff helped them work through issues such as unsupportive partners, pressure from family members, and uncertainty about the future.
We later updated our name to TryLife Center to better reflect our life-affirming mission. TryLife Center is now located in Lower Burrell with a satellite office in New Kensington. Our geographic service area includes the entire Alle-Kiski Valley area, including Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, and Westmoreland Counties.
Serving Families in Our Community
We believe that a community’s most precious asset is the health of its families. Our comprehensive program offers a variety of tools to help both moms and dads learn to be positive parents who make informed and healthy choices for their families.
We offer support to our clients during each phase of pregnancy and provide assistance until a child is three years of age. Our main program offers free and ongoing parenting and life skills education, one-on-one support services, material assistance, community referrals, and more.
Our clinic recently reopened with limited services and currently provides limited OB ultrasounds. This service is free and open to anyone in the community. We aim to fully reopen our clinic to provide additional services soon!
Disclaimer: TryLife Center and TLC Clinic do not perform or refer for abortions.
How to Help
We can’t help families succeed without your help. We always have a need for community partners, volunteers, financial and material donors, and more to support our mission.
TryLife Center is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and is accredited through the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO). We are also affiliated with Heartbeat International and Real Alternatives.
Click here to download our most recent annual report.
Meet Our Team
Staff
Amber Blair, MSW, LSW, MT-BC
Executive Director
Maddie Crytzer
Director of Client Services | Director of Marketing
Joanna DeDomenic, RDMS
Ultrasound Technician, TLC Clinic
Jeannie Dennis
Client Support Specialist
Mariah Johnson
Client Support Specialist
Erica Kemp
Client Support Specialist
Olivia Kennard
Receptionist | Program Assistant
Amy McIlwain
Office Manager
Alyssa Pater
Finance and Development Manager
Michelle Plocki, RN
Nurse, TLC Clinic
Linda Tamarella
Program Assistant
Claudette Washington
In-Kind Donations Coordinator | Medical Assistant, TLC Clinic
Board of Directors
Cynthia Sakala
President
Patricia Ziringer
Secretary
Joseph Schmidt
Treasurer
Fred Neal
Quandra Nickols
Samuel Robb
Cheryl Yakopec
Advisory Board
Lindsay Venditti, MD
Medical Director, TLC Clinic
Volunteers
TryLife Center is a volunteer driven organization, and we are incredibly blessed by the generosity of our faithful volunteers who provide more than $40,000 annually in free services. If you have time or talent to share, we would love to have you join our team! Click the button below to learn more about volunteering, or apply now!