The March of Dimes surprised 30 expectant military moms and dads with a baby shower and gifts at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ.
The moms-to-be received gift boxes filled with baby supplies and much more courtesy of The Masonic Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
Moms-to-be also received the latest pregnancy and newborn health information from the March of Dimes Mission: Healthy Baby® program.
“The Pennsylvania Masons are thrilled to support the March of Dimes,” said Thomas K. Sturgeon, R. W. Grand Master of Masons in Pennsylvania. “In addition to our donation, we want to thank all of the new military moms for the sacrifices and contributions they and their families make to better our country each and every day.”
The Masonic Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania has a long history of supporting our troops. The “Change for the Troops” program which began in 2008 is designed to support our deployed troops. This year, the program expanded to support and educate military families with March of Dimes pregnancy health information from Mission: Healthy Baby as they welcome a new baby.
The March of Dimes support for the military dates back to its founding by President Roosevelt in 1938. Mission: Healthy Baby was designed specifically to address the unique needs of military members who may be stationed far away from the support of family and friends, or who may be fighting a war while their partner is home, expecting a child.
“Having a baby is a joyful experience. However, it’s also one that comes with anxiety and stress, especially when your spouse is deployed overseas by the U.S. military,” said Jane Massey, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the March of Dimes. “The March of Dimes believes in supporting moms and moms-to-be and we’re grateful for this opportunity to help these military families. These showers and our Mission: Healthy Baby program give families the comfort and support they deserve.”
Very high levels of stress, such as the stress caused by a deployment, may contribute to premature birth or low birthweight in full-term babies. Military moms and dads can request Mission: Healthy Baby materials by sending their name and address to [email protected]. Special brochures are also available by calling 914-997-4257.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst serves all branches of the military. “This is a very special and worthwhile thing to do for military families in circumstances where the spouse is either deployed or they are far away from immediate families,” said Colonel Jonathan Spare, vice commander of the 514th Air Mobility Wing. “The fact that the community is focused on supporting military families is inspiring,” added Lieutenant Colonel John Barlett, commander of the 87th Force Support Squadron, who was also in attendance.
Photo caption: Colonel Jonathan Spare and Colonel Harris Brooks with military moms-to-be who were given a baby shower by the March of Dimes and The Masonic Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. (PHOTO CREDIT: March of Dimes and Lauren Perlmutter)