Mega Baby Shower For Military Moms Scheduled In Lake Elsinore

Hundreds of family and friends are expected to gather at the Elsinore Woman’s Club on April 2 for a baby shower of epic proportions.

Diapers, bottles, formula and other baby necessities will be gifted to roughly 25 new military moms who serve or whose husbands are currently serving overseas.

“I don’t know if people realize it, but Riverside (County) has a ton of military families. But there is very little out there that acknowledges them. We want to honor the sacrifices of those families who raise their children alone. These women need to be honored,” said Courtney Faith Vera, a Lake Elsinore resident and donations coordinator for Operation Showers of Appreciation.

A 501c3 non-profit organization, OSOA was founded by Kimberly Felshaw, whose own experiences with military service as a Camp Pendleton Marine and then later as a spouse, had her looking for ways to support young mothers left behind when their husbands deploy abroad.

“We’ve been helping families since 2006. I am personally involved with each shower, making baskets and meeting the volunteers. My daughter Allysa changed my life and I want those changes to reflect in my children and my work,” said Felshaw, noting that the loss of her first born child shortly after birth inspired her to found OSOA as a support for other new moms.

While every shower she throws is dedicated to her daughter, Felshaw was on board when Vera suggested hosting Lake Elsinore’s April 2 event in honor of fallen soldier .

Monti, who received the highly-decorated Medal of Honor for the heroism he demonstrated during combat in Afghanistan, loved children.

“This is a man who hated to see kids do without,” Vera said, adding that SFC Monti was killed while trying to rescue a fellow soldier.

Paul Monti, Jared’s father, said in an interview by phone, “I think this is a great tribute to my son. He loved children. He would share his care packages with children, wherever he was stationed. I am very much honored and wish I could be there.”

Felshaw said that OSOA hosted nine baby showers in 2010 and at least that many are scheduled for 2011.

Felshaw and her volunteers work to raise funds for each event, and they raise awareness among companies and local business leaders who, in turn, make much-needed donations of diapers, strollers, formula, and other necessary items.

Vera, who is housing the collected donations for April’s shower at home, said she already has “quite a bit of stuff,” but OSOA always appreciates more.

“We’ve had some local vendors step up. We’d love for the sponsors to attend the shower,” Vera said, adding that the Elsinore Woman’s Club has donated the venue free of charge.

Felshaw said she plans to be in attendance, despite now living in Arizona. “I love, love, love to meet my volunteers and the families. I still cry every time I go to a shower. I get the feelings all over again, each time.”

Operation Showers of Appreciation is still seeking donations for the upcoming event. Visit the website to learn more.