Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske is once again inviting residents and local businesses to donate essential items for expectant mothers, as part of the 5th Annual Community Baby Shower.
Schipske started the Community Baby Shower in the 1980's, and then revitalized it five years ago after her election to City Council.
"As a member of the City's Board of Health and Human Services, I learned that our public health nurses wanted some type of incentive to encourage pregnant women to attend educational classes," says Schipske, who is an OB/GYN Registered Nurse Practitioner. "I also saw that many moms simply didn't have the basics, such as diaper bags when taking home their babies from the hospital where I worked, so I came up with the 'Community Baby Shower'."
Schipske collects donated new items, and then invites the community to attend a "baby shower", complete with cake and punch for attendees to snack on while helping fill donated diaper bags.
"The responses from the community have always been positive," notes Councilwoman Schipske. "Individuals, companies, hospitals, and firefighters all step up and donate handmade blankets, diapers, and clothing. It is heartwarming."
Items can be donated up until May 10, 3pm, when the community is invited to help fill the diaper bags at the City of Long Beach’s Department of Health and Human Services, located at 2525 Grand Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90815.
The items needed are diapers, blankets, hats, socks, baby wipes, bibs, and mittens. Baby bottles are not accepted, as the public health nurse is encouraging breast-feeding. All items will be evenly distributed among expectant mothers currently enrolled in programs within the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services. These programs, coupled with the donated items, are meant to consolidate the effort to ensure a healthier outcome for each mothers’ pregnancy.
Within the last 4 years, the Community Baby Shower has raised over $8,000, and has compiled 700 newborn kits. Sponsors for this year’s effort include the Junior League of Long Beach, Alpert Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family and Children Services, Kidz Head 2 Toe Resale Boutique, Long Beach Cares, Friends of the Long Beach Firefighters, Quilters By The Sea, and Heart To Heart at Grace First Presbyterian Church.
Residents and local businesses can drop off their donated items every Wednesday between 9 am and 5 pm through Wednesday, May 9th at the Fifth District Neighborhood Office, located at 2760 Studebaker Road, Long Beach, CA 90815. Residents can also make a tax-deductible monetary contribution to Long Beach Cares, 2525 Grand Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90815, and note “Community Baby Shower”.
For more information contact Rachel Powers in the Office of Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, 562-570-6932 or email rachel.powers@longbeach.gov
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