Operation Shower teams up with Birdies for the Brave® and Datron World Communications to host group baby shower for 40 military moms-to-be during the PGA TOUR’s 2012 Farmers Insurance Open
LA JOLLA, CA (January 26, 2012) – On Tuesday, January 24, 40 military moms-to-be had the opportunity to experience what many expectant women may take for granted – a baby shower. The moms, whose spouses are deployed members of the U.S. Navy SEALs, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines and California Army National Guard, were honored during a group baby shower hosted by Operation Shower with support from Birdies for the Brave and presented by Datron World Communications. The shower was held in the San Diego Padres Military Appreciation Pavilion at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla during the 2012 Farmers Insurance Open.
In addition to lunch, each of the honored moms-to-be received Operation Shower’s signature “Shower In A Box” – a gift of high-quality products for mothers and babies that were generously donated by companies including Pottery Barn Kids, Carousel Designs, and others. Pottery Barn Kids also surprised the group by giving each mom a Pottery Barn Kids crib. Beyond these tangible items, the most meaningful gift may have been the unique opportunity for the moms to find comfort and support from other women in the same situation as they celebrated this milestone together.
“For military wives who are expecting a new baby and whose spouses are deployed or soon to be deployed, the impending arrival of a child can be both exciting and stressful,” said Operation Shower Founder and Chief Shower Officer LeAnn Morrissey. “Operation Shower was created specifically because typically military moms are the ones who hold it all together at home. Without their spouses by their side, deployed to another part of the world, these moms deserve our support, our thanks, our love and an opportunity to celebrate together.”
The “Sunshine Safari”-themed event was sponsored by Datron World Communications, with support from Pottery Barn Kids, Carousel Designs and Carl’s Jr., which provided lunch. In addition, the March of Dimes is the Health Education Partner for Operation Shower, and was on hand to provide much-needed health information for the moms-to-be. As part of Pottery Barn Kids’ support for the Shower, the company hosted a Design Event in which 12 event stylists were selected to design a table at the Shower incorporating the “Sunshine Safari” theme and Pottery Barn Kids products. Special guests at the event included Holly Finchem, mother of three and wife of PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem; recording artist Michelle Penn (“Welcome Me Home”), who performed during the Shower; and noted celebrity event planner and host of E! Television’s “Party Monster Cabo,” Brian Worley, who emcee’d the event.
“We feel privileged to have the opportunity to give back in such a meaningful way to these courageous women, whose innumerable sacrifices may go unnoticed,” said Janet Hayes, president Pottery Barn Kids, prior to the Shower. “This is just a small way we can express our gratitude and we are truly honored to join Operation Shower in its mission to celebrate and honor these women and their families.”
Datron World Communications CEO Art Barter echoed those sentiments, saying, “We are thrilled to join with Operation Shower and Birdies for the Brave to show our appreciation to these courageous military moms-to-be, who make innumerable sacrifices that enable their loved ones to so selflessly serve our country and defend our freedom. Their service and sacrifice deserve to be recognized just as much as those on the front lines, and we are delighted to do that through this special shower during the Farmers Insurance Open.”
Operation Shower (www.operationshower.org) is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating and honoring military families by providing joyful baby showers for military moms-to-be to ease the burden of deployment, or in cases where spouses are seriously injured. Since the organization’s inception in 2007, Operation Shower has showered more than 600 military moms from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and National Guard on military bases, during PGA TOUR tournaments, and at other locations.
Operation Shower is supported by Birdies for the Brave, a national military outreach initiative proudly supported by the PGA TOUR designed to show support and appreciation to the courageous men and women of our U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Birdies for the Brave was originally created in 2005 by PGA TOUR player Phil Mickelson and his wife, Amy, to support combat-injured troops. In 2006, the PGA TOUR adopted Birdies for the Brave and expanded the program to include a variety of military outreach efforts in support of wounded warriors and military families. For more information, visit www.birdiesforthebrave.org.
The PGA TOUR and Birdies for the Brave will team up with Operation Shower next month to host a group baby shower for 40 military moms-to-be from Naval Base Ventura County on Wednesday, February 15, from 10:00 am to noon in the Birdies for the Brave Patriots’ Outpost military hospitality chalet at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades during tournament week of the PGA TOUR’s Northern Trust Open. Emmy Award-winning actress Sarah Michelle Gellar is scheduled to host the event. Other special guests will include NBA legend and Northern Trust Open Executive Director Jerry West; Holly Finchem; members of the PGA TOUR Wives Association; and Michelle Penn. The event is closed to the public. Media interested in attending must receive credentials in advance. For media credential information, please call (562) 431-5962.
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Media Contact
Cindy Elliott
Birdies for the Brave
(562) 431-5962