The Castle Rock Relief Society (CRRS) partnered with AdventHealth Castle Rock’s Mommy and Me Market (MMM) and held a community baby shower in April at the hospital. The event served as a depository of nine nonprofit community organizations and agencies that specifically support new families in different ways, from counseling services, peer-to-peer support, basic life necessities like rent and help with special needs. This is the second annual CRRS baby shower.

New and expecting moms received a swag bag, which included a Minky Couture blanket, soap from Buff City, mini blankets made by local seamstresses and a homemade baby bib. The blankets and soap were donated from the respective companies specifically for this event. WeeCycle gifted a grant of 5,000 diapers to the party, allowing each family to take home two packages of diapers and wipes.

“For me, this was the most exciting part of the event, to gather so many resources in one place for these families,” said Kristy Clason, president of CRRS.

Event organizers estimated that more than 100 families attended the baby shower. It was the largest MMM since before the pandemic, and possibly the largest one to date. The success of the event was due to months of behind-the-scenes work coordinating, inviting and creating the swag items.

The CRRS is the women’s organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their motto is “charity never faileth” with the mission to strengthen member’s own lives and to help them strengthen the lives of others.

The MMM is held on the fourth Friday of each month at the hospital. At no cost to moms, gently used baby, toddler and maternity clothes are available to shoppers.

Kristy worked closely with Jean Newell of WIC and Marti Jones, the volunteer and community outreach coordinator at AdventHealth Castle Rock. The goals were twofold: spread the word to more vulnerable families about the existence of the market and to bring organizations that support families to participate in the celebration. Together, and with the help of dozens of volunteers, they created a fun and successful event that connected new families with support agencies.

WIC is a federal program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which aims to “safeguard the health of low-income women, infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care,” states the WIC website.

Kristy said, “The ability to join together as a faith-based group along with community resources with the singular focus to support and truly celebrate moms and families is a rare opportunity. When we join together, we see just how united and strong we are.”

Marti was happy for the opportunity to partner with the CRRS and echoes Kristi’s enthusiasm over the success of the baby shower. She said, “It’s a beautiful thing to be able to give back to our community, especially those in need.”

 

 

By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Kristy Clason