VA Eastern Colorado offers resources, support to Veterans during drive-thru baby shower
At 11 a.m. on Sept. 22, Operation Baby Shower kicked off in the parking lot of PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom VA Clinic in Colorado Springs. This ninth annual drive-through event recognizes and supports Veterans by providing gifts and resources for new and expectant mothers.
“Many women Veterans have family out of state, and they need that support,” said Eva Gergely, VA Center for Community Development & Civic Engagement (CDCE) chief for VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS). She organized this year’s event.
“It’s also a way for us to educate our Veterans on resources we have in VA and the community,” said Gergely, who’s worked with VA for 17 years, explained the event is held every September, alternating between the clinic in Colorado Springs and Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora. Next year’s event will return to Aurora.
“Having a drive-through is more convenient for working moms, said Gergely. “They can come get items on their lunch break and go back to work.”
Featuring music, a balloon artist and enthusiastic staff dressed as bright yellow ducks, which references a child’s rubber bathtub toy, Gergely said this fun, high-energy event was the biggest and best yet.
With more than $6,000 in donated items—everything from diapers to handmade blankets to strollers—community partners also lent support. Staff from Pikes Peak Library District welcomed guests and promoted literacy by donating reading materials and signing up families for library cards. Children’s Hospital Colorado staff offered car seat safety checks.
Gergely thanked all those who volunteered and donated, which included American Legion Auxiliary, Military Order of Purple Heart, Soldiers Angels, American Red Cross and other community partners for donating gift cards, raffle items and their time to help make the event a success.
“These types of events are so important because so many Veterans live far away from their families,” said Adrienne McCormick, an Army Veteran and mother. “To feel some type of community is an exceptional feeling. I feel like I’m right at home, that the Army didn’t abandon me and now the VA is here, helping me out so much. It’s been a really awesome transition.”
McCormick described the event as full of joy and support, and that it made her feel part of a community.
Gergely reported that 33 families drove through this year. For mothers who were unable to attend, Amazon will deliver packages to them from a list of donated items.
With these gifts and resources, Gergely said, Veterans feel they have tools to raise their child safely.
Volunteers, VA staff and members of the VA ECHCS executive leadership team joined in the fun by blowing bubbles and handing out gifts. Providers from physical therapy and women’s health also made contact with participants, informing them of VA resources relating to motherhood. These mothers were given contacts and information on such issues as post-partum depression screening, pelvic floor exercises and how they can receive follow up after baby is born.
To learn more about how to support drive-through baby showers in VA ECHCS, contact the VA ECHCS Center for Development and Civic Engagement at vhaechvolsvcs@va.gov. To learn more about women’s health care in VA ECHCS, contact Carole Donsbach, VA ECHCS women Veterans program manager at 720-857-5798 or carole.donsbach@va.gov. And for more information on the Women Veterans Health Program, call 720-857-5372.
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April Love is a Writer-Editor on the VISN 19 Creative Task Force. She began working for Denver VA in 2016 and lives in Aurora, Colorado.