United Way Seeking Donated Items for 7th Annual Community Baby Shower

The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties is working with local businesses to collect essential baby items for expectant and new mothers now through Feb. 3.

The items will be distributed Feb. 8 at the 7th Annual Community Baby Shower, presented by Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital and Publix Super Markets Charities.

More information about the effort, along with a current list collection sites, is available at www.yourlocaluw.org/communitybabyshower.

Businesses serving as collection sites are asked to drop off the items they have collected at Patterson Park Community Center, 521 Mercury Blvd., Murfreesboro, on Feb. 4 or 5. The public is also welcome to drop off items on those dates. Items will be sorted and baby bags will be assembled at the Community Baby Shower Sort-a-Thon on Feb. 7.

This year, the United Way has a goal of 500 baby bags to be distributed to families in Rutherford and Cannon counties. Focusing on one of the United Way’s priority community issues—healthy beginnings—the bags contain essential baby supplies for a healthy start in life.

Items needed to complete the baby bags include: diapers, onesies, baby wipes, bottles, and blankets (new items only for newborn to 6 months old).

Businesses collecting items are also competing for the most creative display. The winner will be treated to a pizza party, courtesy of United Way.

Supporting sponsors for Community Baby Shower include Fred Farrer Properties, Cornerstone Financial Credit Union, Ole South Properties, Redstone Federal Credit Union, Regions Bank, Tennessee Pediatrics, Elite Insurance Solutions – Chase Salas, FirstBank Mortgage – Matthew Stump, Franklin Synergy Bank, Once Upon a Child, Don and Rita Ash, and Wilson Bank and Trust.

The Community Baby Shower is part of United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties’ focus on helping children in our community get a great start. Research shows that 90% of physical brain development occurs in the first three years of life. In addition, when a child enters kindergarten ready for school there is an 82% chance that the child will master basic skills by age 11, compared with a 45% chance for children who are not ready for school. United Way is committed to helping more kids in our community be ready for kindergarten and succeed in life.