News

Things were definitely popping in Colorado Springs! For the 12th year, PepsiCo partnered with Operation Shower to celebrate 30 military moms and moms-to-be with an “About to Pop!” group baby shower at Weidner Field. Presented by PepsiCo with support from the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC for the fifth consecutive year, the September 15 celebration was filled with laughter, love, gifts and plenty of reasons to celebrate these incredible moms. The guests included active-duty military members and spouses and partners of deployed service members from Fort Carson, Peterson Air Force Base, Schriever Air Force Base and other local military installations. KOAA-TV Evening News Anchor and Reporter and three-time Emmy Award winner Dianne Derby kept the celebration rolling as emcee and guest host.

From baby bumps to baby games, the afternoon had all the makings of a perfect shower! The moms enjoyed a catered lunch, traditional shower games and prizes before opening gifts and discovering Operation Shower’s signature Shower-In-A-Box. Each box was packed with thoughtful goodies for mom and baby, generously donated by PepsiCo, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, Kindred Bravely and Storq, Diaper Genie, Angelcare, Delta Children, Phil Long Dealerships, Dr. Brown’s, Popped and Pierced. Talk about a box full of baby joy! Every donated item was another little reminder that these moms have a community cheering them on.

And while the gifts were certainly a big deal, the most meaningful part of the day couldn’t be wrapped with a bow. The moms had the chance to connect with other military women who understand the unique ups and downs of pregnancy, parenthood and deployment. They laughed, shared stories, played games and enjoyed a few hours surrounded by people who simply get it. For moms carrying a baby while their loved one is deployed—or serving themselves while preparing to welcome a little one—those connections can mean the world.

“Pregnancy should be a time of joy and support, not isolation and anxiety,” said Operation Shower Founder & Chief Shower Officer LeAnn Morrissey. And that is exactly what this shower was all about: showering moms with love, one gift, one laugh and one connection at a time.

Operation Shower is incredibly grateful to PepsiCo and the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC for continuing to make these celebrations possible, as well as every generous company that helped fill each Shower-In-A-Box. Their support helps make sure these military moms know they are not just about to pop—they are about to welcome a whole new chapter, and they have a community ready to celebrate right alongside them.

Thanks the following for making this event more special: