Tiny newborn outfits draw collective “oohs” and “aahs” at baby showers. Too bad infants outgrow them so quickly.

At Penn’s bi-annual Super Swap, gently used baby clothes, toddler and children’s toys and gear, as well as maternity clothing that is no longer of use, can be exchanged for similar items.

Sponsored by the New Parents@Penn Group, in partnership with the Penn Women’s Center and the Greenfield Intercultural Center (GIC), the Super Swap will be held on Friday, May 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the GIC, 3708 Chestnut St.

“This event has been going on for almost four years and we try to organize it at least once a semester,” says event planner Sarvelia Peralta-Duran. “The swap has grown in popularity and every year we get more items.”

To participate in the Super Swap, just bring the items you want to exchange to the GIC on Thursday, May 17, or no later than 10 a.m. on Friday, May 18. Gender neutral and older kids’ clothes and gear are especially needed.  

For a nominal $5 donation, swappers can take as many items as they like. The funds that are raised will support NewParents@Penn Group activities held throughout the year.

Even if you don’t have anything to swap, you can still give a $5 donation and take as many hand-me-downs as needed. The Super Swap is open to both the Penn and neighborhood communities.

“We have parents from all across the University participate, as well as people from the surrounding Philadelphia community,” Peralta-Duran says. “Graduate students find it particularly useful, but many people get excited about an opportunity to clean out and do it for a good cause.”

Remaining Swap items will be donated to a local women’s charity, Women Against Abuse, or the Maternity Care Coalition, which have received Super Swap donations following past events. For more information contact Peralta-Duran at sarvelia.peralta@gmail.com.

To get advance notice of upcoming Super Swaps, send a request to join the Super Swap Yahoo! Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SuperSwap.