Just eight days shy of her own due-date, Erica Campbell-Loewe was determined to help other mothers-to-be as much as she could.
As a volunteer with the third-annual Community Baby Shower in Davisburg, Campbell-Loewe said she’s always felt grateful to have the essentials to care for her daughter’as well as her little boy, soon to arrive.
‘My husband has a good job, so we’re able to give them everything they need,? she said. ‘But I’ve always thought, ‘Oh my gosh, what if I didn’t have that swing? What would I do without it???
It was that feeling, she said, that compelled her to roll up her sleeves when she found an online post asking for donations and volunteers to help with the shower.
The event, founded and organized by Ortonville resident Beverly Weddle, provides young mothers with free baby necessities, a meal, and an opportunity to socialize with others in the same position.
Weddle, who raised two children as a single parent, said she knows what it’s like to start out with nothing, and hopes a helping hand will get girls off in the right direction.
‘We can’t give them everything, but we give enough to get started,? she said. ‘When someone cares enough to help, I think, it boosts their self-esteem and hopefully they’ll provide better care for their children.?
This year, more girls than ever are calling for help; Weddle is averaging four or five calls every day, and already has 45 names on the list to attend.
‘The hardest thing is not being able to help everyone,? she said, noting the focus is on young single mothers who are having their first child.
Although she started collecting donations right after last year’s shower, Weddle says she’s still low on a number of essential items.
Any new or ‘very gently used? merchandise is appreciated, especially bassinets, cradles, cribs, Pack and Plays, high chairs, swings and newer car seats’experts recommend against using a seat more than five years old.
New items, such as sleepers, crib sheets, blankets and bottles are also in short supply, as are disposable diapers, wipes and other toiletries.
Maternity clothes and gift items for the moms-to-be are welcome, as well.
‘Cash donations would be a huge help, too,? Weddle said. ‘Then we could go out and buy some of the things we know we need.?
Volunteers to help pick up, sort and assemble donated items are also needed, as are those willing to help on the day of the event.
Martha Cooper, who is now retired but formerly worked with Weddle at Rite-Aid, has been on board since the shower was a mere idea in Weddle’s mind.
‘I like to see the looks on the girls faces when they leave with everything they need,? she said. ‘It’s a good feeling.?
Janett Percival of White Lake helped out on event day last year, and came back again this year.
‘It’s contagious,? she said. ‘I was overwhelmed with the number of girls who needed help, and how appreciative they’and their families’were. We had a lot of very grateful girls. I just love them all.?
While she’s been extremely busy making phone calls, organizing items, picking up donations and washing load after load after load of donated baby clothes in her own home, Weddle’who works two jobs to make her own ends meet’would love some help with the chores.
Rachel King, another former Rite-aid coworker, said she helps out as much as she can.
‘It makes me feel good inside,? she said. ‘Besides, how could I not help Bev? She’s a wonderful person; she’d give her heart away if she could.?
But Weddle said she just wants to give the girls the best start possible when they bring their new babies home.
In addition to volunteers and baby items, she’s also looking for expert speakers to attend the shower and give a short talk on a topic like nutrition, breast-feeding, development, or other infant-related issues.
A restaurant or caterer who can provide a meal, or partial meal, for guests is also needed.
Weddle also said she still has space available for mothers-to-be who are interested in attending the shower.
Although she accepts most on a case-by-case basis, participants generally must be under 25 years old, single, working or attending school, and be at least 3 months pregnant or have an infant up to 3 months old.
Donations can be dropped off at the Rite-Aid located at 5789 Ortonville Road, north of Dixie Highway. Weddle will also pick up contributions.
All donations are tax deductible, and a receipt will be provided on request. Make checks for cash donations payable to Andersonville Community Church and write ‘Baby Shower? on memo line.
For more information, or to volunteer, call Beverly Weddle at 248-634-5939 or 248-854-2059.
The shower is scheduled to take place at 3 p.m., April 25 at Andersonville Community Church, 10310 Andersonville Road, Davisburg.