Twenty five military moms-to-be had a day to remember on Wednesday as the Islanders Children’s Foundation collaborated with Operation Shower to host a wonderful baby shower at UBS Arena. All of the expectant moms are active-duty service members or the spouses or partners of deployed members of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Yor National guard and the U.S. Coast Guard.
“The Islanders put on amazing events throughout the year,” said Islanders MSG Networks host and reporter Shannon Hogan, who served as emcee of the event. “This is one of the most personal and intimate ones that I’ve had the pleasure of being a part of.”
The event, supported by Ryan, LLC, the official tax advisory partner of the Islanders, was a hockey-themed baby shower and featured Operation Shower’s signature Showers-In-A-Box filled with high-quality products for mothers and babies that have been donated by the New York Islanders, Ryan Tax, Diaper Genie, Angelcare, Mamazing, Quincy Mae, Dr. Brown’s and Babbleroo.
There was also a catered lunch, giveaways and prizes along with appearances by Islanders players’ wives and the team’s mascot Sparky.
“I think what makes it different is it’s got this Islanders feel,” said Hogan. “It’s so beautiful. They do an amazing job with the décor and the food and all of that. It also has the feeling of like your mother-in-law’s or your mom’s living room.”
The baby shower is one of many amazing events during the year that the Islanders Children’s Foundation is involved with. The foundation is dedicated to supporting local communities now and in the future and is committed to supporting, educating and developing area youth while investing in Metro New York’s families and community well-being. Since its inception in 2003, the ICF has raised more than $26 million through various events and initiatives.
"The Islanders are honored to join forces with Operation Shower to celebrate these courageous military moms-to-be,” said Ann Rina, Islanders Vice-President of Community Relations and Executive Director of the Islanders Children’s Foundation. “Their sacrifice for our country is profound, and we are thrilled to provide a day of joy as they prepare for their new arrivals. We couldn’t be happier to welcome these new ‘rookies’ into the Islanders family and offer our support as they begin this exciting journey."
Operation Shower is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to celebrating and honoring military families by delivering joyful group baby showers to military moms-to-be whose spouses or partners are deployed or who are active duty themselves, to ease the stress of deployment and separation.
Since its inception in 2007, Operation Shower has showered nearly 10,000 military families from all branches of the military during exquisitely designed showers conducted on military bases and at other locations in communities nationwide.
“Operation Shower was created because pregnancy should be a time of joy and support, not isolation and anxiety,” said Operation Shower Founder & Chief Shower Officer LeAnn Morrissey. We are grateful to the New York Islanders and Ryan for helping us provide these remarkable women with not only an abundance of tangible necessities, but also the priceless opportunity to share support and camaraderie with other military moms-to-be who truly understand their struggles.”
In a season where the Islanders have been one of the surprise teams in the NHL as they battle for a playoff spot, the organization, along with some great partners, continues to give back to the community. And for the newest Islanders fans who will be arriving soon, the baby shower will certainly be something that they will hear about when they are old enough to understand.