The new executive director of the local non-profit WestSide Baby, Nancy Woodland, has found her calling.

Once a lawyer for the state attorney general, then a stay-at-home mother to her young son and daughter, the self-proclaimed "busy-body" has jumped into her next big project - running the growing, thriving baby gear supply organization.

WestSide Baby is a non-profit organization that collects new and used clothing, toys, books and baby gear and distributes them free of charge to needy South Seattle/King County families. Last January, Woodland came to one of the groups' fundraisers and soon after, she joined its board of directors.

It was WestSide Baby's "pure and simple message" that later made the decision to take the job as executive director an easy one, said Woodland.

"From there I was kind of hooked," said Woodland. "The mission is so simple - collect and distribute diapers and baby gear for children. The more I know, the more I believe in it."

Less than a year after being introduced to the organization - last November - Woodland took over the group fulltime from its founder, Donna Pierce. Pierce started the program in 2001 because she understood what it was like to be a "stressed-out, freaked-out new mom."

"I couldn't stand imagining the level of stress felt by new moms with low incomes, no incomes, no healthcare, no home," said Pierce. "My dream from the beginning was not only to fill a gap in needed services in our neighborhood but also to weave such an organization into the very fabric of our community."

After five years of nurturing the program, Pierce said that dream has become reality, but she was ready to hand it off to "someone with a different skill set to take it to the next stage."

Pierce, who's battling health problems with her husband, said she plans to stay involved as "founder."

It was Woodland's obvious passion for the program that made her the right person to carry on WestSide Baby, Pierce said.

"I have every confidence that Nancy will be a great 'mother' for Westside Baby," Pierce said.

Woodland's new job is right on track with her professional goals to help children and families in need.

After graduating from a child advocacy law program at Loyola University in Chicago, Ill., Woodland worked for the state representing the Washington Department of Social and Health Services litigating child abuse and neglect cases.

The biggest difference between being a lawyer and running WestSide Baby - "no politics and no red tape," said Woodland.

"...In law, people would argue with me about what they thought was in 'the best interest of a child' and now, although there are occasionally tough questions, no one argues with me about the need to care for the basic needs of the children in our community," she said.

Since the groups' inception, WestSide Baby has served more than 16,000 families and distributed about $2.5 million worth of clothing, toys, baby gear, and other items to social service agencies to assist low-income families. Last year, the group handled almost a million dollars worth of goods.

Everything is collected, inspected and sorted by volunteers in the organization's warehouse in White Center. Among the dozens of agencies that partner with WestSide Baby, the White Center Food Bank, Highline and Seattle School districts and the Highline Head Start program.

Before WestSide Baby, there wasn't an organization in south Seattle/King County to provide diapers and other baby gear to low-income families. Assistance programs like food stamps and Women, Infants and Children don't cover those expenses.

"We are one of a kind," said Woodland. "We are it and we are happy to be it."

Since taking over, Woodland has been scrambling to manage the ever-growing list of clients and to-do lists.

"It's been fantastic, albeit mildly chaotic," said Woodland. "But I love to be here and it's fun."

WestSide Baby is building its client and donor base because its reputation is gaining in integrity, she said. But with more items, clients and promotions comes the need for more volunteers and, of course, money.

"We're giving out a lot more gear, a lot more diapers, a lot more everything," said Woodland. "People are figuring out that we're here and that we're going to stay here. Those are all fantastically good things...but it requires more upkeep and stewardship."

The need for this kind of program is so great that WestSide Baby recently received a request from a mother in central California, but they had to turn her down, said Pierce.

The organizations' annual operating budget is around $70,000 - mostly from private donors. That money pays for Woodland's yet undetermined salary, a business manager, rent and item expenses.

Purchasing diapers, cribs, car seats and booster seats is the biggest cost to the non-profit. An average of $2,800 a month is spent on diapers. Many of the other items are donated from local families.

A large chunk of donations comes from Diaper Drive Parties, hosted by local schools, churches and families. Middle and high school students volunteer to fulfill community service hours and third graders at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School hold regular fundraisers for the non-profit.

"It's instilling a community service focus that wasn't expected when WestSide Baby was created, but it's an invaluable reward that wasn't anticipated," Woodland said. "It is changing, it's transitioning-but in a good way. It's moving forward to fulfill the dream Donna had."

Sunday, Feb. 11, WestSide Baby will hold its annual Valentine Tea Benefit. Call (206) 767-1662 for more information.

Social service providers may request items needed for infants and young children by calling or placing orders online at http://www.westsidebaby.org. WestSide Baby accepts clean clothing and baby equipment at: Westside Baby, 10032 15th Ave. S.W., Monday and Wednesday 9 a.m. - noon; Sat. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. West Seattle Kids Salon, 6965 California Ave. S.W., Fauntleroy Church/YMCA, 9260 California Ave. S.W.

Rebekah Schilperoort may be reached at 783.1244 or rebekahs@ballardnewstribune.com