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Bay Pines VA Staff, Volunteers Shower Veteran Moms With Gifts During Annual Drive Through Baby Shower

PRESS RELEASE

May 8, 2023

BAY PINES , FL — Bay Pines VA Healthcare System’s Women Veterans Program, along with volunteers and donors from throughout the community, showered new and expectant Veteran moms with baby gifts during the annual drive through baby shower at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center, May 6.

The event capped off a two-week party that began last Saturday at the Lee County Healthcare Center in Cape Coral, Fla.

“Wow! What an amazing couple of weeks,” said Bay Pines VA’s Women Veterans Program Manager Donna Sherman. “When you look around here and see the number of volunteers and organizations who made this possible, there’s no doubt that this community loves their women Veterans!”

Bay Pines VA began their annual baby shower tradition for new and expectant Veteran mothers with an in-person event in 2018. Sherman said the program is exploring options to bring that element back in 2024, now that restrictions initiated during the pandemic have all but been eliminated. 

“We’re always looking for ways to make this event bigger and more impactful,” Sherman added. “This year, we are adding staffing to the Maternity Care Program and are excited to be able to provide additional wrap around supportive services. Next year, look for an even bigger event!”

This year, more than $30,000 was donated to support new and expectant women Veteran mothers and the newest editions to their families.

“We’re so grateful to have a community who steps forward and says, ‘How can we help?’” said Bay Pines VA’s Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) Chief Frank Jones. “You won’t find a stronger community of supporters for women Veterans than right here in Southwest Florida.”

Bay Pines VA would like to thank the following organizations for their unwavering support this year:

  • American Legion 273
  • American Legion Auxiliary 273
  • Elks of Largo Lodge 2159
  • Elks of St. Petersburg Lodge 1224
  • Gold Star Mothers Gulf coast chapter

Bay Pines VA supports the health, welfare, and dignity of women Veterans and their families by ensuring equal access to timely, sensitive, and quality care. To learn more about our comprehensive health care options to support women Veterans, or connect with a women Veteran care coordinator, visit Bay Pines Women Veterans Program.

The goodwill, generosity, and valued partnerships with organizations and volunteers across our area has been critical to building a community of support in Southwest Florida for 90 years. You can visit our volunteer or donate page to learn more and get involved with our CDCE team.

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