Baby Banz Supports Operation Shower

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ST. LOUIS’ OPERATION SHOWER ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MARCH OF DIMES
Lifetime Television Series Army Wives’ Wendy Davis to Host “A is for Apple” Baby Shower

ST. LOUIS/Sept. 17, 2009 – St. Louis charity Operation Shower, providing baby showers and “showers-in-a-box” for military families, has recently partnered with the national foundation, March of Dimes. Hosted by actress Wendy Davis, who portrays Lt. Colonel Joan Burton in the Lifetime Television network series “Army Wives,” Operation Shower and the March of Dimes will hold the “A is for Apple” baby shower on Sept. 20, 2009. Taking place at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Va., parents, who most likely would never have a baby shower of their own, will receive the “showers-in-a-box” filled with baby supplies including books and toys, as well as clothing and a number of essential items courtesy of March of Dimes’ supporter, Kmart, and many other helpful contributors to both Operation Shower and the March of Dimes.

“Operation Shower is thrilled to work with the March of Dimes, Kmart and the other donors of Operation Shower to help bring these showers to the military moms. We felt this fit very well with our mission to support military families who may not otherwise have a baby shower. We are grateful for the opportunity to support these families,” said Operation Shower’s Chief Shower Officer Lena Morrissey.

OPERATION SHOWER /ADD ONE

Scheduled to be featured in the November issue of Redbook, Operation Shower is a non-profit organization committed to assisting mothers-to-be whose spouses are deployed by providing baby showers at military bases and distributing “showers-in-a-box.” The Operation Shower team collects donations and creatively packs them in boxes. The presentation of a “shower-in-a-box” is festive and the contents useful for expecting mothers and their newborns. The March of Dimes strives to enhance the health of infants by focusing on the prevention of birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality; their first NICU Family Support® site is located at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Va. “Mission: Healthy Baby” is a program created by the March of Dimes with the Veterans of Foreign Wars. This plan is tailored particularly for military families to grant free pregnancy and newborn health resources and guidance. The March of Dimes plans to announce the re-launch of “Mission: Healthy Baby” at the shower.

Moms will receive stylish donated items from overall shower sponsor Kmart, as well as the following sponsors: Anka, Baby Banz, My Baby Place, Boogie Wipes, Cotton Babies, The Global Fund for Children, lillebaby, Peacelovemom, Petunia Pickle Bottom, Sage Creek Organics and Swaddle Designs. In addition, design services have been provided by the local St. Louis company, Integrity, and shipping has been provided by WN Epstein & Co. The wonderful party decorations and invitations were donated by TomKat Studio and Celebrations at Home.

Operation Shower is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that recognizes and honors the sacrifices military families make by producing and coordinating baby showers and “showers-ina-box” for pregnant and expecting military personnel and their families. For more information about the “A is for Apple” baby shower or Operation Shower, visit www.operationshower.org or call Lena Morrissey at 314-809-3754.

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For more information, contact Melissa Stromblad 314-542-0400 stromblad@mswmarketing.com