OAKHURST – All pregnant moms and families with children ages 5 and under are cordially invited to a Community Baby Shower on Apr. 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church.
Hosted by area Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPs) clubs, the baby shower is entirely without charge.In celebration of local pregnant moms and their families, the Community Baby Shower distributes new and gently used infant and toddler clothing, along with large items like cribs, swings, and car seats, and supplies including diapers and wipes, all of which are free.
Families can also enjoy snacks and desserts along with the festivities, and moms will even have a chance to soak their tired feet.
Mom and information contact Joy Judd says this is the second year for the party, and about 50 families were served during their inaugural event. This year, organizers hope to double the number of families who attend.
“Last year, we had more donations than people to give donations to,” says Judd. “We’re hoping more moms show up this year and our goal is to get the word out: we have free items including diapers, wipes, car seats and lots more, and we want to help 100 families. We want them to come out, eat, visit, chat, have fun and get free stuff.”
Free child care “by loving moms and child care workers” will be available for about 30 minutes for each family, so they can relax a little while walking around to see everything that’s going on.
Guests will be greeted by a personal shopper – a mom who will walk them through a series of rooms and help them figure out what they need and want.
The first room contains large items like cribs, strollers, mattresses and even a few brand new car seats. Moms can pick one large item, then move on to the next room, where they can pick up a complimentary package of diapers and a pack of baby wipes. All items are limited to availability.
“Last year, we had over 50 packs of diapers and 100 packs of wipes,” says Judd. “People buy the items through MOPS or items are donated by members of the church congregations. Any expectant mother in the area is invited to attend. We want to reach out and meet people. It’s a Baby Shower, not a thrift sale, and it’s a celebration.”
The free shopping “opps” continue in a third room, where organizers will have assembled an impressive array of gently used clothing (no stains or holes) for mothers to choose from. Five to ten items will be available for each family. Last year, the Community Baby Shower pulled together over 1,000 items of clothing and plans a similarly bountiful offering this year.
Following the clothing room, guests will be walked into a “Bonus Room,” where they can choose from items including blankets, nursing supplies, diapering supplies and more of the sorts of things pregnant women like to stockpile just as squirrels like acorns. A lactation expert will be on hand throughout the day to answer questions and offer advice on breastfeeding.
Just when you’re thinking, “this can’t get any better…” moms will be escorted into the “Pamper Room,” where they can get a little massage, soak their feet, listen to music and take a “breather.” Moms from MOPS will be around all day to connect with new families, along with other groups like Helping Hands.
The Community Baby Shower is hosted by Sierra Vista Presbyterian MOPS, EV Free MOPS and Yosemite Lakes Community Church MOPS, and the organizations and churches are now accepting donations. For more information, contact Joy Judd at 642-4181 at Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, 39696 Hwy 41.
