Palm Coast, FL – In a ceremony marked by both hope and purpose, Palm Coast Fire Department dedicated a Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station 25 on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, providing parents in crisis with a safe, anonymous option to surrender newborn infants.
The installation at 1250 Belle Terre Parkway marks the 383rd Safe Haven Baby Box location nationwide and the 10th in Florida, representing what Fire Chief Kyle Berryhill called “more than just pieces—it represents hope, mercy, and a second chance.”
“As firefighters, our mission has always been to protect lives. It’s our number one incident priority,” Berryhill told attendees gathered at the station. “This safe haven baby box is a tangible reminder that in moments of crisis, there is hope and an opportunity.”
A National Movement with Local Impact
The ceremony featured remarks from Monica Kelsey, founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, who shared her personal connection to the mission. Kelsey herself was abandoned two hours after birth in 1973, after her 17-year-old birth mother was brutally attacked and raped.
“I stand on the front lines of this ministry as one of these kids,” Kelsey said. “This is my legacy, and I will always be their voice—for these moms who are doing the right thing, who love their child so much that they want something more for them.”
Since 2017, 69 infants have been safely and legally surrendered in baby boxes across the country. The organization’s National Safe Haven Crisis Line (1-866-99BABY1) has assisted with over 170 additional handoff surrenders. Each surrendered infant is placed with families registered as foster-to-adopt through local Department of Family Services coordination.
Kelsey highlighted a powerful success story from nearby Ocala, where a baby girl named Zoe was placed in a safe haven box and adopted by firefighter Vince and his wife Katie, who had been praying for a child. The family recently celebrated Zoe’s first birthday together.
“Even more remarkable,” Kelsey shared, “the birth mom for this baby is now a volunteer for our organization. These moms are trusting us and they’re giving back.”
Community Partnership Makes It Possible
The project was spearheaded by the Knights of Columbus Council 105-14 of Santa Maria del Mar, with Grand Knight Bryant Perszyk leading the charge alongside co-chairman Bob Conochalla.
“It was over two years ago that I brought this idea of a baby box after hearing the report of the surrendered baby in Ocala to our Knights of Columbus officer’s meeting,” Perszyk explained. “Little did we know the hoops and hurdles we would have to navigate to get to here today.”
City Councilman Charles Gambaro praised the collaborative effort, acknowledging Mayor Norris, Vice Mayor Pontieri, Councilman Sullivan, Councilman Ty Miller, and City Manager Lauren Johnston for their support.
“In a moment of crisis, a parent now has a safe, anonymous surrender option, and a child has a future filled with possibilities,” Gambaro said.
The project received substantial support from multiple community organizations, including:
- Knights of Columbus councils from Santa Maria del Mar, St. Mary’s, and Mother Seton
- Palm Coast Kiwanis Club, recognized as the first major donor
- Santa Maria del Mar Parish, led by Father Manny Lopez
- Paul Culver Construction, which handled installation
A Promise of Hope
Father Manny Lopez of Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church in Flagler Beach provided the blessing for the new installation, symbolizing the community’s commitment to protecting vulnerable lives.
“Isn’t it amazing that we are standing outside of a fire station today, blessing a box going in the wall so that tomorrow we don’t have to stand in a cemetery and bless a box going into the ground,” Kelsey reflected.
Chief Berryhill emphasized that Fire Station 25, which has always served the community in people’s worst moments, was the appropriate location for this resource.
“This is more than just a project. It’s a promise that we’re going to give some hope to people that were hopeless and that a parent in crisis is not left without an option,” he said.
The Safe Haven Baby Box provides a climate-controlled, secure environment where parents can anonymously place an infant. When a baby is placed inside, an alarm immediately alerts fire department personnel, who respond within minutes to provide immediate care.
For more information about Safe Haven Baby Boxes or to access the National Safe Haven Crisis Line, call 1-866-99BABY1 or visit safehavenbabyboxes.com.
