Operation Baby Shower event donates $35,000 to military moms

Published Nov. 17, 2014
By Sgt. 1st Class Raymond Moore
99th Regional Support Command

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The sound of babies crying and mothers soothing them amid the chatter of expectant mothers filled the room as they waited for the beginning of the 99th Regional Support Command's four-hour event to celebrate motherhood.

"Operation Baby Shower" distributed more than $35,000 in donations to 71 mothers serving in the military and as DOD employees, and spouses of members serving here.

"Operation Baby Shower was sponsored by Operation Home Front," said Cheryl Davis, Family Programs director for the 99th RSC. "They filled 71 diaper bags with $50 gift cards, handmade Cashmere blankets, and diaper bags with other baby items totaling $500 in all per person."

"Overall, it was great; I got a $50 gift card, which was awesome. I'm saving it for a bassinet and stroller," said Ivelisse Vaughn, 99th RSC human resource administration specialist. "I was also able to bond with other mothers in the building that are pregnant."

Vaughn was also able to register for Baby Bundles, another program sponsored by the base that donates packages to expectant mothers and women who have given birth within the past three months.

"This is the first year that we have sponsored the event. We usually turn it over to the Air Force. This year we decided to do it ourselves," said Davis. "We put the word out and it turned out bigger then we imagined. We anticipated about 41 applicants but 71 showed up so we have to do it again every October and May."

Amy Thomas from Family Advocacy talked about all the changes mothers and the siblings go through when the new baby comes home. She counsels one-on-one or as a group, whatever is best for the parent. There were also representatives from Child Youth and School Services to speak about how the military will pay for babysitting and camping for older children during the summer months.

The event was not just informative for the mothers - they played games for various prizes throughout the program. The grand prize was a notebook computer.

These are just a few of the programs available to service members and their spouses that fall in-line with the President Obama's latest initiative proclaiming November 2014 as Military Family Month.