According to stateofbabies.org, “Kentucky is the home to 160,287 babies, representing 3.6 percent of the state’s population. As many as 48.0 percent live in households with incomes less than twice the federal poverty line (in 2020, about $52,400 for a family of four), placing them at economic disadvantage.” Based on statistics like the one above, Green County offers a Community Baby Shower to expecting mothers and mothers with children under 12 months old. At the 2023 Annual Community Baby Shower we had 9 mothers with each having a guest with them, 10 homemaker volunteers, and 11 speakers from various businesses and community organizations including HANDS, KY-Moms, Adanta, Women for Women Health Clinic, Lake Cumberland Community Action, Lake Cumberland District Health Department, Green County Youth and Family Resources.  We had one speaker with HANDS (Health Access Nurturing Development Services) who spoke about the dangers of smoking during pregnancy.   

Throughout this event, the mothers were given various gifts from the different speakers and the Help Hope and Hands Homemaker group. These gifts ranged from new in box car seats, pack and plays, diapers and wipes, clothing, homemade blankets and toys, décor, and so much more. One of the mothers said, “Thank you so much for everything that you all have given us today, you helped me save so much money you have no idea”. Another mother made the comment that she had been given so much that she hoped she had enough room in her car. The majority of the speakers mentioned that this was the best Community Baby Shower that they had been involved in and were planning on speaking again next year.

FCS Agent presented “6 tips to Safely Store Medicine” an informational sheet to the mothers about how to safely store medication around children and what to do if children got into said medication.  Only a handful of the visitors that attended this event had been to the Green County Extension office while the others were new to our organization. I promoted what extension was and programs that we offer throughout the year and things that they could look forward to in the future.

https://stateofbabies.org/state/kentucky/