Assistance League of the Chesapeake members gathered December 12 at a very special baby shower to support and celebrate the Stork’s Nest program of the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center. The event was held in Annapolis at the Moorings Bistro restaurant. Sixty Assistance League members and guests donated over $5,800 worth of baby items to help stock the Stork’s Nest program. This brought the total of Assistance League in-kind donations over 13 years to $45,000. Items donated by Assistance League members and guests included car seats, diapers, clothing, bottles, onesies, and other necessities for babies and toddlers.
Assistance League of the Chesapeake is proud to have been a partner of this meaningful project since 2006.
The goal of the Stork’s Nest is to prevent premature birth, low birth-weight babies and infant mortality by supplying important prenatal education, then crediting mothers for attendance with needed baby supplies.
Points are earned through the babies’ first year of life and expire when the baby is 18 months old. Mothers and mothers-to-be earn points for attending educational sessions, prenatal care visits, well-child visits, bringing a support person, breastfeeding, registering for WIC and receiving Healthy Start services. Through their participation, young mothers learn the importance of prenatal care, staying healthy and reducing stress, labor and delivery, post-partum life and safe sleep.
Participants in Stork’s Nest mostly come from Glen Burnie, Brooklyn Park, Annapolis, Pasadena, Crofton and Hanover. Sixty percent are enrolled in WIC. Most participants are referred to the program by the Anne Arundel County Department of Health.
“The Stork’s Nest program is incredibly successful in helping prevent pre-term births and infant deaths. We are really proud to be a part of their success by holding this annual baby shower for BWMC,” said Maryann Gosnell, president of Assistance League of the Chesapeake. “We’re very grateful for this continued partnership,” added Kathy Burk, executive director of the BWMC Foundation.
Baltimore Washington Medical Center representatives and Assistance League members at the baby shower included (in photo, left to right) Susie Iaquinta, BWMC major gifts officer; Courtnee McDonald, BWMC community health educator; Kathy Burk, BWMC Foundation executive director; Mary O’Malley, Assistance League of the Chesapeake member; Maryann Gosnell, Assistance League of the Chesapeake president; Lindsey Colasurdo, BWMC community health specialist; and Maureen Smith, Assistance League of the Chesapeake member.
