OAKHURST – All pregnant moms and families with children age 5 and under are invited to a free Community Baby Shower on Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church.
The annual event, now in its third year, is hosted by Sierra Vista Presbyterian Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS), EV Free MOPS, and Yosemite Lakes Community Church MOPS.
Last year, 100 families attend this free event and organizers are hoping for an even bigger turnout this time around. “Once again, we will have lots of free food and information tables for MOPS, Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, Yosemite Lakes Community Church, EV Free, Sierra Pines, Head Start and Helping Hands,” says Joy Judd, MOPS Outreach Coordinator at Sierra Vista.
A lactation consultant will be on hand offering free services to new or expectant moms. In just a few years, the gathering has grown significantly.
“Our most exciting news is a large monetary donation from Sierra Vista Church that allowed us to purchase more than 20 new car seats to give away to families this year,” continues Joy. “We will also have diapers, wipes and lots of clothing for families to take home.”
Childcare will be provided for moms and families as they shop for free items and enjoy a spot in the spa room to relax, soak their feet and steal a few quiet moments on their own.
On arriving at the Community Baby Shower, each family registers and is given a personal shopper to guide them through the well-organized gifting arena which sprawls from room to room. While families wait to enter snacks will be available, along with entertainment for the kids provided by Sierra Vista Children’s Ministry. Then the complimentary shopping can commence!
“Each family can take one item from the Large Item Room, which includes new car seats and new or gently used cribs, swings, strollers, high chairs, and more. Next, the family will be taken to a room filled with diapers and wipes and they will be allowed to take one package of each,” Joy explains, adding that all items are subject to availability.
“Next will be our clothing room which will have more than 2,000 items of new and gently used clothing from infant size to 5T. Each family will be able to take at least 10 items of clothing and a pair of shoes.”
Families then move into the Bonus Room filled with blankets, toys, diaper bags, baby carriers, formula, nursing supplies, and maternity clothes, where each family chooses five items.
Finally, the pièce de résistance: mom gets to relax in the spa room for a few minutes, “lovingly hosted by members of the Yosemite Lakes Community Church MOPS group,” Joy says. “We had an amazing turnout last year and we are excited about inviting the community back to our event.”
