COMMUNITY BABY SHOWER

 

 

On Saturday, April 27, 2013, the Bucyrus Public Library held its first ever Community Baby Shower.  The event was held from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. in the Library’s Community Room.  This event was targeted to first-time parents, parents-to-be, non-library patrons, and families who are involved in programs such as W.I.C., GRADS, etc.

            Agencies serving families and children were contacted to participate.  Those represented were:  SPARC, Child Care Choices, Crawford County WIC, OHCAC Head Start, Little Stars Daycare and Preschool, Voice of Hope Pregnancy Center, Bucyrus Public Library, and Avita Health System (Bucyrus and Galion Community Hospitals).  Sonshine Childcare and Preschool Center and Third Street OB/Gyn were scheduled to attend, but called prior to the event and had to cancel.

            Prior to the event, the library asked for RSVPs.  Fifteen responded, and the day of the event, fourteen attended.  10 of these were ones who had RSVP’ed and 4 were walk-ins.

            Attending agencies were placed around the Community Room.  Avita Health System Food Services provided refreshments for the day.  Cupcakes, bagged chips, an assorted fruit plate, and cookies, along with water and/or fruit juices were available. 

            A variety of door prizes were provided by WIC (diaper cake with baby items attached), Child Care Choices (gift bag filled with baby items), and OHCAC Head Start (package with diapers, package with breast pump, and two large filled baskets, one pink and one blue).  Attendees signed in as they entered the Community Room, and also signed up for door prizes as well.

            Attendees enjoyed going from table to table and speaking with agency representatives, as well as receiving a T.R.E.A.T.  tote, provided through a United Way grant to the Crawford Children’s Initiative, of which the library is a member.  They also enjoyed the variety of refreshments offered.

            Around the 1:00 p.m. hour, drawings for door prizes were held.  Several families/couples had stayed the entire time, so when door prizes were drawn, they got first pick of the items available.  Once all names were called, those not present were put back into the drawing to give away the remaining two prizes.

            As I started to move my items into the hallway to take back upstairs, a couple came down the stairs and asked if the door prizes had been drawn for.  I told them that they had been, but I did have two prizes that I would need to make phone calls for.  When I asked the name, it turned out that the mom-to-be had won the diaper cake from WIC.  The dad said, “I just want to tell you how great this was.  I have an 8-year-old, and they never did nothing like this back then.”  The mom-to-be was near tears as I handed her the diaper cake.

            All agencies were well pleased with the turnout and would definitely participate in an event next year.

 

LESSONS LEARNED FOR NEXT YEAR:

·         Email and/or send announcement out to schools.

·         Contact Wal-mart about possible donation of a stroller for a grand prize.

·         Advertise event on marquee at First Federal Community Bank downtown.

·         Remember to have tables set up for attendees to use for taking survey/eating.

·         Contact Galion and Crestline libraries to see if they wish to send information to be given out or have a presence at the event.