USO Vicenza showers moms-to-be, new mothers with gifts, games

Photo By Karin Martinez | Heidi Murkoff, best-selling author of the "What to Expect" book series and the What to Expect Foundation, looks at a clay creation during a baby shower game at the baby shower given to approximately 100 moms-to-be and new moms at Caserma Ederle March 12.  

ITALY

03.23.2018

Story by Karin Martinez 

U.S. Army Garrison Italy

CASERMA EDERLE, Italy — Heidi Murkoff, best-selling author of the "What to Expect" series, made a return appearance to Vicenza to celebrate the community's new moms and mothers-to-be in the second annual Special Delivery baby shower here.

The What to Expect Foundation, created by Murkoff and husband Erik, partners with United Service Organizations worldwide to host such events. The Foundation and USO Vicenza honored close to 100 women at the event that took place March 12 at the Golden Lion.

The number of participants was almost double from last year's event, where it topped off at 50. Participants were invited through a variety of avenues, said Lisa Wease, center manager, USO Vicenza. This included the USO Vicenza Facebook page, uso.org, community Facebook marketing through pages such as the Army Wives Caserma Ederle, News Parent Support Program, WIC and American Red Cross.

"I believe most of the moms just heard about it from their friends," Wease added.

Those who attended were treated to baby shower games, prizes, lunch, a special Q&A session with Murkoff where no questions are off limits, and a free "What to Expect When You're Expecting" book.

But the shower is more than a party; it's about forming bonds with other mothers. Murkoff said having a baby shower is important for new "military moms" who are often away from the support network of family, especially when overseas.

"Motherhood is the ultimate sisterhood," she said. "For these women, whether active duty themselves or spouses of active-duty (service members), the connectedness to each other is vital."

For Heidi and husband Erik, the events are a labor of love: the event here was just one of the 42 events around the world on the couple's schedule for 2018. Since the Foundation was created in 2013, they have amassed 10,000 events that include baby showers, reunions and showers for expecting fathers.

"They deserve this," Murkoff said of the Vicenza event. "We want to celebrate them, give them a proper baby shower, and get them talking and sharing — connecting — to each other.

"The baby shower games we play are specifically designed to help the moms get to know each other," she added.

Wease said she enjoys being able to facilitate such an event in the community.

"This wonderful event allows the USO to unite new and expecting military moms in our community. Our welcoming center, as well as our program lineup, consistently strives to keep our service members and their families connected in our local Vicenza community."

The USO has been the nation's leading organization to serve men and women of the U.S. military for more than 77 years. USO centers operate at or near military installations across the United States and throughout the world.

Visit USO Vicenza on Caserma Ederle, Building 9A, or call for information about upcoming events or to find out how you can volunteer with the organization, 0444-71-7156.

• Date Taken: 03.23.2018
• Date Posted: 03.28.2018 09:45
• Story ID: 270881
• Location: IT