Welcome to Kings Community Action Organization

No one asked her to help, but Jane Burns offered anyway.

About a year ago, Burns started knitting baby blankets and sewed stuffed bears and rabbits for a countywide program that works with teen mothers and fathers.

"It just gives me a lot of strength to know that maybe I can make a change in somebody's life," she said.

At 74, Burns continues the good deed -- and now with the help of friends.

Several months ago, Burns hosted a luncheon for about 20 friends and asked them to donate baby items. They brought diapers, dolls and clothes. She plans to host another gathering in March.

The goodies are donated to "baby stores" in Hanford, Stratford and Avenal. The stores are operated by the Kings County Action Organization, which is the county's designated anti-poverty group. Young parents -- ranging in age from 13 to 20 -- who attend parenting classes, volunteer or go to doctor appointments receive pretend money, which is then used to buy items from the stores.

The donated baby products go a long way because most of the parents are from low-income households, said Joey Cox, youth services director for the county's action organization. The nonprofit organization also doesn't always have the funds to buy new baby bottles, car seats or strollers for young parents, he added.

He said volunteers like Burns "are extraordinarily valuable to us."

Many of the former teen mothers and fathers have finished high school and gone on to trade school or two- or four-year higher institutions. Recently, Cox said a number of them completed nursing programs and stayed to work in Kings County.

Burns, who moved to Hanford from San Jose three years ago, said she has never met the participants, but their stories of success inspire her to continue making the quilts and sewing teddy bears, rabbits and balls.

The project is also a personal one for Burns. She said she is often reminded of her own two children who died many years ago. Her daughter died 36 hours after she was born. A son, who had cerebral palsy, died about 13 years ago at the age of 50. Burns said he was the reason she took up sewing.

"He was totally dependent on me. He couldn't walk or talk," she said. "When I had some down hours, I would sew."

Burns has two other children. Her daughter works as a nurse for a San Jose hospital. Her son, Shane Burns, is an assistant Kings County district attorney.

This isn't the first time Jane Burns has offered her services. She has sewed items for a Mormon humanitarian program that distributed them globally.

Said Burns: "I like to serve, and I get a great feeling of accomplishment."

The reporter can be reached at svang@fresnobee.com or (559) 622-2409.