By MONIQUE KOERNER
Cottonwood Extension
The 2nd annual Ellis County Community Baby Shower was held on April 18 at the Hilton Garden Inn.
The Safe Sleep Community Baby Showers focus on new and expectant parents to give them the information, support and tools to navigate parenthood. We had 23 vendors on site that support new and expectant parents to give them evidence-based information and support. This event is truly the community wrapping our arms around parents!
Community Baby Showers are aimed at prevention to improve individual safety. Prevention is most effective when all levels are addressed. We include education on safe sleep, breastfeeding, tobacco cessation and mental health to support the new family.
Fifty-two families registered for the event and we had over 90 attendees with mothers attending with their support people that included dads, grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends and other children.
I would like to thank all our community partners and grants that made this event happen:
VENDORS
USD 489 RESIST chapter
DSNWK/Kid-Link
High Plains Mental Health
Ellis Alliance
Ellis County Health Department
La Leche League of the Western Plains
Early Childhood Connections
Ellis County EMS
Cottonwood Extension District
Doula services and Creighton Fertility Care
A Kansas Midwife/Earthside Midwifery
Kansas Poison Center
Hays Public Library
Healthy Blue
United Healthcare
Hays Medical Center OB Women and Infant
Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
Childcare Aware of Kansas
Sunshine Connections
Child Care Task Force of Ellis County
MOMS of Hays
Kancare
GRANTS
KDHE Core Sipp grant provided the portable cribs.
Midwest Energy provided the sleep sacks.
Women Who Lead donated towards refreshments.
State Interagency Coordinating Council provided for the venue, door prizes, and decorations.
VOLUNTEERS:
We had 18 volunteers with over 27 hours! Special thank you to the Thomas More Prep Key Club that helped move over 50 cribs from the K-State Extension office to the Hilton Garden Inn. They sure made it look easy!
Thank you to all the families that showed up. We gave away 40 portable cribs and sleep sacks!
Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu.