The Junior Auxiliary worked with our senior members to create 26 Diaper Cakes and 32 wash cloth Teddy Bears for the “Welcome Baby Tea” held for 24 female veterans who had just given birth or were due to give birth in the near future. This was sponsored by the Women’s Wellness Center at the Northport VA Medical Center on May 16th.
Members shopped and met to package gifts for the “Welcome Baby Tea.” These consisted of a stroller, Pac ‘n Play, bath robes for the Moms, diapers, onesies, baby wipes, Desitin, baby shampoo, thermometers, handmade blankets and sweater sets donated by our partner “Care to Knit,” and pacifiers. Personal gift items were also provided for the “Moms to Be.” A local troop of Brownies created “cupcake socks” by folding baby socks and placing them in cupcake papers to make them look like real cupcakes. All items were brought to the Northport VA Medical Center (NVAMC) for the Welcome Baby Tea which was fabulous. The “Moms to Be” were given lunch in addition to the many gifts. There was also a program given by the different departments within the NVAMC. They centered around care after birth, breast feeding and proper nutrition. The prosthesis department gave the ‘Moms to Be” breast pumps and the nutrition department gave them recipes for healthy eating along with a sample of a healthy snack made from oatmeal. It was a wonderful day.
Joan Deignan, Dale Telmer, Marianne Buzzitta and Sue Neville (2nd Vice President) were part of the team shopping and packing gifts for our female veterans. Sue served as the liaison with the Women’s Wellness Center.
A conference room was transformed into a beautiful setting for a beautiful event.
We thank everyone who supported this particular project. We are also very grateful to all those who make donations to us throughout the year. Your generosity enables us to provide support, not only for this event, but for our veterans all year long.