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Managed By: Dayla Harvey

         This year’s Community Baby Shower hosted by The Mineral County Family Resource Network and the Mineral County Health Department was once again a big success. As always, there were several community businesses and members who helped to make this annual event the success that it was, and because of their generosity, over 50 new and expectant mothers in Mineral County received many of the essential items needed when bringing a new baby home.

         Each mother received a pack of diapers, a bag with information and gift bags which included diaper wipes, baby lotion, baby wash, baby toy, a set of pacifiers, and a new baby onsie. Some of the mother's even received big door prizes including, a stroller, a car seat, a crib with mattress, and a pack-n-play donated by Wal-Mart, another car seat donated by State Farm Insurance, a Washer/Dryer combo donated by Aaron’s. Other donations received were diapers, knitted hats, wipes, lotion and wash, and money. There were donations from several local businesses and civic groups such as Reeds Drug Store, Busy Bees CEOS Club, Old Furnace CEOS Club as well as various individual donors.

         Although the shower was set-up just like a real baby shower, with decorations, fun games and prizes, good food catered by Potomac State College, cute centerpieces (that were later given away), and favors donated and made by Virginia Townsend and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Relief Society, there was also an educational component to it. 

        The mothers learned from Mary Bryan from WIC about the benefits of breastfeeding and the many differences between a breast-fed and a formula–fed infant. This year she had a largely interactive presentation where she quizzed the mothers on true or false statements regarding new babies.

         Molly Moran, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with Menchavez Pediatrics, gave the mothers a thorough presentation covering baby well checks and immunizations. She informed mothers on when they should contact the doctor and/or bring their baby into doctor. Molly assured the mothers that there is never a wrong time to call their doctor with a concern. The range of developmental milestones a child undergoes was also covered in Molly’s presentation. 

           Angela Wolford, Regional Tobacco Coordinator, informed the mothers about the dangers and effects of smoking for themselves as well as both second and third hand smoke and the effects they could have on their babies. Angela also addressed the financial aspects of smoking and showed how much money could be saved if that person quit, enough to buy a car, go on vacations and in some cases even buy a house. Natalie Robinson, from Unicare, gave the mothers a presentation on affordable health care and a variety of health care plans that they could now choose from.

         John DelSignore from the Mineral County Health Department talked to the mothers about the dangers of Radon and provide testing kits to those interested. There were Displays with information and giveaways set up by WIC, Mineral County Health Department, Unicare, Regional Tobacco, and WV Oral Health Coalition.

        The Mineral County Family Network Director, Gerri Mason, made a special point to acknowledge Gina White Health Department Nurse, MCFRN AmeriCorps VISTA Courtney Haggerty, WV Oral Health Coordinator Dayla Harvey, CASA AmeriCorps VISTA Sonia Hill, Helen Cullen Foster Grandparents, John DelSignore Health Department Sanitarian, Community Assistor Lauren Borho, Betsy Root, Jordan Elchynski, Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and Will Mason, who all participated in helping with getting ready and/or working the event. 

          For more information on how you can get involved next year please contact the

Mineral County Family Resource Director Gerri Mason at 304-788-9099.

Mineral County

Community Baby Shower