“Joining Forces,” a new initiative announced by President Obama, Tuesday April 12, encourages businesses to provide jobs for military spouses, schools to find ways to provide additional support to children of service members and also encourages everyday Americans to find ways to personally get involved. “It’s not just the right thing to do, it also makes this country stronger,” Obama said, noting that soldiers often say the one thing he can do for them is ensure their families are cared for so they can focus on their jobs. A new website, www.joiningforces.gov, will provide volunteer opportunities to serve military families.
Christ Church Coronado continues their on-going support of our military families in the San Diego area, by hosting their third annual baby shower on Saturday May 14th, in partnership with Operation Showers of Appreciation. Over 17 military families in the San Diego area will attend the event. These active duty families are stationed far from friends and family, often with one or more of the parents deployed, soon to be deployed, or scheduled for deployment. They all are expecting new additions this spring or early summer. The celebratory event provides the families with not only many of the necessities for a new baby including car seats, strollers, clothing, and accessories, but fellowship and support.
As the wife of an admiral Betty LeMoyne, event chairperson and parish senior warden, knows what it is like to be far from home during such important times. “Providing this type of support for these young families is the least we can do. We feel privileged to be part of the Operation Showers of Appreciation program.”
Operation Showers of Appreciation, whose motto is “The few, the proud, the expectingÂ…”, provides support to military families, under the leadership of Kimberly Felshaw, who herself was a military spouse. Kimberly has been awarded the San Diego Channel 10 News Leadership Award, has been nominated for Volunteer of the Year, and was featured in People Magazine on August 16, 2010 for her work with Operation Showers of Appreciation.
The Coronado community is invited to “join forces” with Christ Church parishioners to volunteer to support this event. You may drop off donations of new or very gently used baby clothing/accessories as well as monetary donations, to the Christ Church parish office located at 1114 Ninth Street. You may also donate on-line at OSOA website (http://osoamil.org); make note that the donation is for the Christ Church baby shower.
For more information you may contact Christ Church at [email protected], (619) 435-4561, www.christchurchcoronado.org.
