On Saturday, May 1, 2010, military moms-to-be will be treated to a very special “Red, White & Coo” baby shower courtesy of the PGA TOUR and nonprofit partners March of Dimes and Operation Shower.
Gift boxes filled with baby supplies, clothing, toys, books and more will be provided by Kmart, the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter, and many other generous donors, to a group of moms whose spouses are serving their country.
“We are delighted to partner with Operation Shower and the March of Dimes for this special event,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. “I know how difficult it is at times to be part of a military family. My dad was a career Marine and there were six of us at home – it wasn’t easy for my mom. Operation Shower allows us to show how much we appreciate the sacrifices the wives of soldiers and sailors make while their husbands are away serving this country.”
Finchem will attend the shower with his wife Holly. Also in attendance will be Admiral Townsend “Tim” Alexander, Commander of Navy Region Southeast.
The baby shower will be hosted by the PGA TOUR at The Patriots’ Outpost at TPC Sawgrass and is due to be attended by 36 military moms-to-be, whose spouses are currently deployed, and their guests. Catering for the event is to be provided by Whole Foods Markets and other generous donors include Build-a-Bear Workshop, Kolcraft, Munchkin, Pottery Barn Kids, This Emotional Life and Tiffany & Co.
The March of Dimes and Operation Shower began their partnership in 2009 to recognize the sacrifices of military moms-to-be and to support military families. The March of Dimes also worked with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Ladies Auxiliary VFW to create "Mission: Healthy Baby," an educational program providing free information and support services around pregnancy and newborn health. The March of Dimes and Operation Shower partner to organize baby showers for expecting families in the armed services.
“Operation Shower is honored to work with the PGA TOUR and to continue our partnership with the March of Dimes to recognize the needs of military families,” said Chief Shower Officer, LeAnn Morrissey. “We’re grateful to have friends like Kmart and the other donors of Operation Shower who help bring baby showers to military moms who otherwise wouldn’t be able to have them.”
“Kmart is thrilled to support the March of Dimes and Operation Shower," says Mark Snyder, vice president and chief marketing officer for Kmart. "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. This donation is part of the Kmart for KidsSM program, which is our commitment to make it easy for all moms to take care of what they care about most.”
“The March of Dimes believes in supporting moms and moms-to-be and we’re grateful for this opportunity to work with the PGA TOUR and Operation Shower to help these military families,” said Kathy Boggan, senior vice president of volunteer leadership development, March of Dimes. “Having a baby is a joyful experience, but it’s also one that comes with anxiety and concerns. Being in the military – whether as a serviceperson or as the partner of a serviceperson – can cause extra stress. That’s why the March of Dimes thinks it’s critical to provide our military families with the free pregnancy and newborn health information service to help them have one less thing to worry about and healthy, full-term babies.”
Top Photo Caption: PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem, (left to right); Robert J. Bly, Kmart's Vice President and General Manager for Retail Services in Jacksonville, Florida; Operation Shower’s Chief Shower Officer, LeAnn Morrissey; March of Dimes Senior Vice President of Volunteer Leadership Development, Kathy Boggan; David Pynchon, Kmart's District Manager in Jacksonville, FL; and Rear Admiral Tim Alexander, commander of the Navy Region Southeast, showed their support for military families at a baby shower held at the TPC Sawgrass Players Stadium Course from "The Patriots Outpost." The event was sponsored by the PGA TOUR and non-profit partners, the March of Dimes and Operation Shower. Kmart, the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter, donated many of the gifts for the moms and surprised every woman in the audience by announcing that each would receive a new car seat. Several of the moms were overjoyed and burst into tears.
Middle Photo Caption: Tabitha Furyk, wife of PGA Tour star and Ponte Vedra Beach resident Jim Furyk, attended the baby shower today. Ms. Furyk was so moved when she heard about the event that she went into her own pocket and bought every mom another bag of goodies.
Bottom Photo Caption: Kimberly, left, and her 5-year-old daughter, Jeanavive, from St. Augustine, Florida were among the honorees attending a special baby shower hosted by the PGA Tour, and nonprofit partners, the March of Dimes and Operation Shower. Kim's husband is expected to be deployed by the Navy later this month and will miss the birth of their new child. Kmart, the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter, and many other generous donors provided gift boxes filled with baby supplies, clothing, toys, books and to more than 30 military moms.
About PGA Tour
“Together, anything’s possible” is the PGA TOUR’s charity platform that brings together all of the TOUR’s stakeholders – players, tournaments and sponsors, volunteers, charities and fans – to tell the story of the tremendous impact that their collective efforts are having on communities throughout the world. Since the first donation of $10,000 was made in 1938, PGA TOUR events have generated significant funds for local charities. In fact, the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour have surpassed the $1.5 billion mark in overall charitable contributions. To learn more about tournament and player charities and how to donate to these causes, visit the PGA TOUR's charity web site at pgatour.com/together.
About Operation Shower
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 for expecting military personnel and their families. For more information, please visit operationshower.org.