KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Heart of Florida United way hosted a community baby shower Wednesday in Kissimmee.
Organization leaders connected with new and expecting parents in Osceola County experiencing economic hardship.
Lynnea Crawford, the organization’s vice president of events and experiences, said she hopes this fourth annual event will help families get a stronger start.
“We’re really excited to have about 75 families who have come through tonight to get that added support as they welcome their new baby into the world,” Crawford said.
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Quetzaly Chavez is 28 weeks pregnant. She didn’t have a baby shower of her own but was selected to attend the community baby shower.
“It’s really helpful because things are really expensive nowadays, and it’s not really easy you know to like buy everything at once,” Chavez said.
She walked away with loads of baby supplies, like diapers, wipes, clothes and toys.
Lariah Fuqua is a new mom who was also selected to attend the community shower.
She said the organization’s generosity will definitely save her time and money.
“I’m just really grateful that they did this for the community and they’re giving resources to people without any catches,” Fuqua said.
Crawford had a strong support system to help with her first child, but admits it was still challenging.
That’s why giving back in this way means the world to her.
“Coming to an event and knowing just how hard it still was for us with all that support, I couldn’t imagine, I couldn’t imagine doing it without that support,” Crawford said.
The organization will host a second community baby shower on Saturday at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
All the families attending are pre-registered. This is not a public event.
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