Each year, the Green County Youth Service Center, in collaboration with other community partners, works to host an Annual Community Baby Shower. Due to budget cuts, it was determined that the Green County Youth Service Center would not have the funds to host the 2018 Community Baby Shower.

In response to this decision, the Green County Extension Group Help, Hope and Hands volunteered to take charge in making sure the Community Baby Shower was able to still be held.

Help, Hope and Hands members meet every week at the Green County Cooperative Extension Office and work on community service projects. These individuals work and donate wherever they see a need. Some projects that they have worked on over the years include: plastic bag sleeping mats for the homeless (these have been sent to individuals in Kentucky as well as other countries), cancer caps, cancer bags, summer feeding program, and the Community Baby Shower.

In an effort to make the Community Baby Shower fun and informative, Help, Hope and Hands members along with the Green County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences worked to get other community partners involved. They also were able to get some items donated to give away. The Early Childhood Council provided each participant with a children’s Book, Child’s t-shirt, and information on the importance of reading to children. The Youth Service Center provided a Pack and Play that was given away, and a local church donated an infant car seat that went to someone in need.

On the day of the Shower, participants were able to listen to presentations about Car Seat Safety given by Lake Cumberland District Health Department, Nutrition during and after Pregnancy given by Green County Family and Consumer Sciences Agents, and information on how to receive help with Health Insurance needs given by Humana Care Source representative. Participants were also given baby blankets, bibs, baby caps, baby booties, crocheted animals and tote bags all handmade and crafted by Help, Hope and Hands members.

In addition to providing information, the members of Help, Hope and Hands worked to make sure that the Baby Shower had some traditional Baby Shower qualities. One member made and donated a beautiful baby shower cake, one made punch, and all members worked together to provide a meal that consisted of sandwiches and fruit and vegetable trays. They also had interacted with those in attendance by playing different traditional baby shower games.

All participants left with educational information, books, and their handmade items.

There were a total of 33 in attendance for the Community Wide Baby Shower. Of those 33, 100% agreed to gaining information on: car seat safety, nutritional recommendations and how to get help with health insurance. All participants as well as the Green County Youth Service Center were appreciative of the hard work that was put forth to make sure that the Annual Community Baby Shower was able to happen!