Josh Garrison: The Man Behind 21 Baby Boxes

Josh Garrison's remarkable legacy with Safe Haven Baby Boxes stands as a testament to how one person can profoundly impact countless lives through selfless service and dedication. As a firefighter, plumber, husband, and father, Josh embodied the spirit of giving without expectation of recognition or reward—a quality that made him instrumental in launching what would become a nationwide movement to save abandoned infants.

The story begins in 2016 when Monica Kelsey, founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, was seeking help to install the very first baby box in American history at the Woodburn Fire Department in Indiana. Josh stepped forward without hesitation, bringing his technical expertise and problem-solving abilities to this unprecedented project. On Monica's birthday, Josh and a small team spent four hours carefully cutting into the firehouse wall, installing what would become the prototype for hundreds of baby boxes across the country. Josh handed Monica the tools to make the first cut, symbolically involving her in this historic moment, saying "you really should do this." This gesture highlighted his understanding that this was more than a construction project—it was the beginning of a mission to save lives.

What made Josh truly exceptional was his approach to service. As his widow Abby describes, "It was never about the money." Josh would freely share his knowledge and skills, whether as a plumber helping community members or as a baby box installer training others. He created the specifications and provider guide for future baby box installations, documenting everything from proper measurements to the types of screws needed. When approached to help with additional installations, his response was a simple "Yeah, I'll do it for you." This willingness to serve led him to personally install 20 baby boxes and replace one—touching 21 communities with his direct contribution.

Josh's impact extended beyond the physical installation of the boxes. He was present at the Woodburn Fire Department when the very first baby was surrendered through the system he helped create. This poignant moment occurred during a particularly dark time for the department—they were preparing for the funeral of their fire chief's two children. The baby's arrival, as Monica describes, provided "a little bit of light" during a tragedy, validating the importance of the work Josh had helped pioneer. His ability to foresee the potential of the baby box program spoke to his visionary nature; as Abby notes, "Josh was very good about seeing into the future."

The Safe Haven Baby Box program has now expanded to 23 states, far exceeding what even its founder had initially envisioned. Josh's early belief in the mission and his hands-on contribution to its development played a crucial role in this growth. His legacy lives on not only in the boxes he personally installed but in the organizational infrastructure he helped create—systems and specifications that continue to guide installations across the country.

Though Josh passed away at just 39 years old from a hemorrhagic stroke, his spirit of giving continued even after death through organ and tissue donation. His family and colleagues honor his memory with the phrase "What would Josh do?"—a reminder of his problem-solving mindset and generous heart. His three children carry forward aspects of his personality and skills, particularly his willingness to help others and his technical abilities.

Josh Garrison's story illustrates how expertise combined with compassion can create lasting change. Without seeking fame or fortune, this firefighter and plumber helped build a nationwide network of safe havens for infants, potentially saving hundreds of lives. His legacy reminds us that sometimes the most impactful contributions come not from those seeking the spotlight, but from those willing to roll up their sleeves, solve problems, and freely share their gifts with the world.

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