Tag Archives: Baby Shower

Celebrating Veteran Moms: A Heartfelt Baby Shower

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By Jill Patterson, Senior Regional Philanthropy Officer and Tiffany Circle Staff Lead

The American Red Cross Northern Ohio Tiffany Circle Women’s Leadership Society, in collaboration with Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces, recently hosted a memorable event with the Cleveland VA Medical Center at their Parma location. This special occasion, known as “A Very Merry Baby Shower,” was dedicated to honoring and supporting our women veteran Moms-to-Be.

The event was a beautiful partnership between the Tiffany Circle, the VA, Blue Star Moms, and the Auxiliary Moms. Together, they created a welcoming and supportive environment, providing baby bundles filled with essential items such as diapers, wipes, bottles, bath wash, Desitin, pacifiers, blankets, onesies, and much more. These thoughtful gifts were a testament to the community’s commitment to caring for our veteran mothers.

Our expectant mothers were treated like VIPs throughout the event.  One of the highlights was the Mind and Body Workshop, presented by Red Cross volunteer Jackie Otte. This workshop offered valuable relaxation and breathing techniques, equipping the moms with skills that will be beneficial both now and in the future.

Upon arrival, each guest received a raffle ticket, giving them a chance to win beautifully crafted diaper cakes and a variety of $25 gift cards, other miscellaneous baby items and a stroller, all generously donated by supporters. Additionally, there was a grab table featuring hand-knitted blankets and outfits, as well as a table filled with gender-specific clothing. The moms were encouraged to take anything they needed from these tables, ensuring they left with plenty of useful items for their new arrivals.

“A Very Merry Baby Shower” was more than just an event; it was a heartfelt expression of gratitude and support for our women veterans. It brought together different parts of the community to celebrate and assist those who have served our country, making it a truly special day for everyone involved.

Veterans Showered with Baby Gifts

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The Tiffany Circle, VA Partner for Baby Shower 

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They faced the prospects of enemy fire, foxholes and being far from home while serving in our nation’s military.   And now they are facing one of the most daunting challenges in life…MOTHERHOOD.

14 women veterans from Northeast Ohio came together on Saturday, May 19, 2018 after being invited to a baby shower for female veterans served by the Northeast Ohio Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.  The shower was supported by the Tiffany Circle, a community of women leaders and philanthropists who advance the Red Cross mission through a focused investment of time, talent and treasure by engaging women locally, nationally, and internationally.

“It was touching for me, as a Tiffany Circle and Greater Cleveland Board member, to honor the women veterans who served our country,” said Donna Rae Smith, long time Red Cross and military supporter. “These are special women who have the courage and disciple to be both mothers and members of our military.”

The mommies-to-be were treated to lunch and a basket full of baby supplies.  Many were accompanied by family members, including young children.  Visit our photo album on Flickr.

Photo credit:  Jessica Tischler/American Red Cross

“The Northeast Ohio VA Healthcare System is grateful to the Greater Cleveland Red Cross Chapter and its Tiffany Circle women for their extraordinary generosity and compassion in hosting a baby shower for more than a dozen of our female veterans,” said Sue Fuehrer, Director of the Northeast Ohio VA Healthcare System.  “These women served with excellence and honor and providing a laundry basket full of goodies for them and their newborn was a wonderful way to thank them for their service to our country.”

The Red Cross was founded by Clara Barton more than 130 years ago, after she nursed, comforted and cooked for wounded soldiers during the Civil War, earning the nickname the “Angel of the Battlefield.”   Today, the Red Cross continues to serve our military men and women, veterans and their families through Service to the Armed Forces (SAF.)  There are many opportunities for volunteers to serve as well.  Visit redcross.org/neo for information about Service to the Armed Forces and volunteering.

 

 

Baby Shower Planned for Women Veterans

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Anyone Can Contribute a Gift for the Babies of NEO Veterans

By Jim McIntyre/American Red Cross

The Tiffany Circle is helping veterans from Northeast Ohio start the circle of life for their yet-to-be-born babies.

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Laurie Laidlaw Deacon, Chair of the Tiffany Circle in Northeast Ohio, speaking in a suite at Quicken Loans Arena

The Tiffany Circle, a community of women leaders and philanthropists who advance the  Red Cross mission through a focused investment of time, talent and treasure, is hosting a baby shower for female veterans who are currently being served by the Northeast Ohio VA Healthcare System.  Some 50 veteran moms-to-be will receive the gifts purchased through a special account on Amazon.

“We are proud to provide this service to brave women veterans in our area,” said Laurie Laidlaw Deacon, Chair of the Tiffany Circle in the Northeast Ohio Region.  “And we appreciate our partnership with the Veteran’s Administration Healthcare System, for helping us identify the women who served our country, and who will soon be caring for a newborn.”

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Sue Fuehrer, CEO of the Northeast Ohio VA Healthcare System, and Mike Parks, Regional CEO of the Red Cross

Sue Fuehrer, CEO, Northeast Ohio VA Healthcare System, said “We at VA are grateful to the Red Cross, Northeast Ohio Region, for hosting the Tiffany Circle Baby Shower to support our women veterans and their newborns.  Our local Red Cross is always there for our veterans and their families in so many ways, and VA is thankful for their strong support on behalf of our nation’s heroes.”

The baby shower will take place at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center on May 19th.  Tiffany Circle member Donna Rae Smith, a member of the Greater Cleveland Board of Directors, and veteran Danielle Krakora of the Northeast Ohio VA Healthcare System promoted the baby shower on WKYC’s Lakeside Today broadcast on Thursday, May 9.   

Members of the Northeast Ohio Tiffany Circle kicked-off the event at Quicken Loans Arena on Monday, March 19, when they gathered to watch the Cleveland Cavaliers play the Milwaukee Bucks.

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Northeast Ohio Region Tiffany Circle members Laurie Laidlaw Deacon, Rosemarie Hoover, Kathy Coleman, Donna Rae Smith, and Luci Schey Spring.  Photo credit: Jessica Tischler/American Red Cross

The Cavs won, 124-117.

Tiffany Circle members pledged to help local veterans win, too, by supporting the baby shower. If you’d like to buy a gift for the baby shower for expecting veterans, shop here.