Jacksonville Elks Lodge #221 hosted a community baby shower for military mothers Feb. 15 using funds from the Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant and member donations from the lodge’s diaper drive. Ten mothers were in attendance with their husbands or friends and their children. “Events like these are so special for our military families that don’t have any family in the area. Because of this we asked each mom to send us their wish list of items that they would like to receive at the baby shower,” says Deborah McCabe Reedy, PER, a member of Saratoga-Wilton, New York Lodge #161 who volunteers with Jacksonville Lodge. Gifts included a stroller/car seat set, highchair, baby swings, travel playpen, bathtubs, hygiene products, baby clothes, pacifiers, toys, bottles, bath towels and wash cloths, diapers, and wipes. The mothers also got to choose a homemade baby blanket crocheted by McCabe Reedy. Lunch, homemade cookies and treats were provided as well and was handled by member Sarah Schllesinger. Guests played games with the winners receiving gift bags donated by member Susan Kelly as well as an “Advance My Baby” book from the Florida State Elks Association. Kelly also hosted baby trivia. A raffle drawing earned two attendees a diaper cake made by member Robin Pipkins. Carmel Reed oversaw the children’s reading room. Brent Reedy, also a member of Saratoga-Wilton Lodge, helped shop for and transport the larger items with McCabe Reedy and donated the collection box for the diaper drive and pizza for the shower. Jacksonville Lodge Exalted Ruler, Bill Watson, offered his and the lodge’s assistance if they were ever in need of help with anything. J acksonville Elks Lodge #221 hosted a community baby shower for military mothers Feb. 15 using funds from the Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant and member donations from the lodge’s diaper drive. Ten mothers were in attendance with their husbands or friends and their children. “Events like these are so special for our military families that don’t have any family in the area. Because of this we asked each mom to send us their wish list of items that they would like to receive at the baby shower,” says Deborah McCabe Reedy, PER, a member of Saratoga-Wilton, New York Lodge #161 who volunteers with Jacksonville Lodge. Gifts included a stroller/car seat set, highchair, baby swings, travel playpen, bathtubs, hygiene products, baby clothes, pacifiers, toys, bottles, bath towels and wash cloths, diapers, and wipes. The mothers also got to choose a homemade baby blanket crocheted by McCabe Reedy. Lunch, homemade cookies and treats were provided as well and was handled by member Sarah Schllesinger. Guests played games with the winners receiving gift bags donated by member Susan Kelly as well as an “Advance My Baby” book from the Florida State Elks Association. Kelly also hosted baby trivia. A raffle drawing earned two attendees a diaper cake made by member Robin Pipkins. Carmel Reed oversaw the children’s reading room. Brent Reedy, also a member of Saratoga-Wilton Lodge, helped shop for and transport the larger items with McCabe Reedy and donated the collection box for the diaper drive and pizza for the shower. Jacksonville Lodge Exalted Ruler, Bill Watson, offered his and the lodge’s assistance if they were ever in need of help with anything.
Kelly Stull from Blue Star Families of Jacksonville was in attendance as well, and each family received a generous amount of books and the kids received T-shirts.
Wendy Weir-Layton of Blue Star Families helped by finding the families to invite. The guests appreciated how welcome they were made to feel by the members. The lodge hopes to continue this event as an ongoing project in their military community with more Elks National Foundation grants.
Jacksonville Lodge members Susan Kelly and Dixie Ward; Kelly Stull from Blue Star Families; member Betsy Bryant; and Deborah McCabe Reedy, PER look over books at Jacksonville Lodge Feb. 15 that were donated to promote literacy.