KITCHEN: COMMUNITY BABY SHOWER HELPS THOUSANDS OF MOMS


Kitchen

            PHILADELPHIA, October 30 – Last weekend’s Philadelphia Community Baby Shower was a great success, drawing nearly 2,000 new and expectant mothers, according to state Sen. Shirley Kitchen.

            “I am thrilled that so many mommies came out to celebrate motherhood and receive beneficial information,” Kitchen said of the Oct. 27 event, which was held at Temple Children’s Medical Center.

            “Clearly, there is a need for support and services to mothers in this community, and so I hope to make the baby shower an annual event,” Kitchen said.

The Philadelphia Community Baby Shower informed new and expectant moms about health care coverage, financial counseling, breast-feeding basics, childbirth, nutrition, pediatric and post-partum care, and advice and information from numerous organizations. Some participants also won raffles for a gift baskets, cribs, strollers, car seats, high chairs, play pens, bassinets, diaper bags filled with diapers, bottles, bibs, socks and more.

Members of the McNabb family attended the baby shower, including Donovan’s mother Wilma McNabb and his brother Sean McNabb, as well as Raquel McNabb’s sister, Rochelle Nurse, a nurse practitioner in Houston. Linda Harrison, mother of Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison, also joined the festivities.

Temple University Health System, McNabb Foundation, Babies R Us, Da-Network Housing, Shoprite, Members of the Eagles Women’s Association, Blairex, Huggies Baby Wipes, Huggies Bath and Body Products, Luv-N-Care, Rancocas Valley Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Summers Laboratories, Inc., Nuby, Boudreaux’s Butt Paste, Ascendia, Carter’s, Triple Paste and Omega Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sponsored the event.

"When Raquel McNabb first talked about having a baby shower where health professionals talk to expectant and new mothers about prenatal care, health coverage, breast feeding, nutrition and more, I said to her it is a great idea," said Danette James, CEO of Da-Network Housing and the event coordinator.

"I also said to her that you will get an overwhelming response because there is such a great need for this type of information. I anticipated about 1,000 women coming to the event. However, even with the rain, close to 2,000 women attended."

            "The Temple University Health System is pleased by the wonderful turnout of new and expecting mothers seeking the health care and social services they and their children need to lead healthy lifestyles," said Terry McGoldrick, associate hospital director for Temple University Hospital. "We are committed to providing quality obstetrical care and access to pediatric services in North Philadelphia and its surrounding neighborhoods, and we were honored to work with Sen. Kitchen to bring this important event to the community."