Mission Accomplished: Baby Shower Honors, Connects Military Families

While visiting white tables stuffed with baby clothes, toys and other gifts, expectant military wives and their families created new connections and memories at a baby shower hosted by a Girl Scout troop and a nonprofit organization Saturday.

Military wife and Sacramento resident Erin Sander said she was shocked to see all the gifts for her baby.

“I feel like I’m on 'Oprah,' ” she said.

Girl Scout Troop 32271, based in the Tri-Cities, and their families transformed a basketball gym at St. Joseph Church in Fremont into a “Bundles of Joy” party for military families living in Pleasanton, Walnut Creek, Hayward, Richmond, Sacramento, Modesto, Seaside and Tracy.

The event was co-hosted by Operation Showers of Appreciation (OSOA).

It marks the first Northern California-based event for OSOA, which has been supporting military families since 2006.

Sander and her husband, Sgt. Aaron DeCanio, with C Company, 1-168th Medevac, are expecting their first baby. Sander said she’ll learn its gender in a couple of weeks.

“I think it’s a boy,” she said.

Staff Sgt. Michael East and his wife, Kristen, are Pleasanton residents who also are expecting their first baby in July.

“We’re crossing our fingers for July 4,” said Kristen East.

The couple said they were overwhelmed when they saw all the gifts for their baby boy that were donated by businesses and residents in Newark, Fremont and Union City.

Since November, troop members and their parents have worked to collect donations and funds for Saturday’s party.

“They did a tremendous job,” said Michael East, who serves as a survey team chief for the WMD Response Unit in the 95th Civil Support Team in Hayward.

According to East, his unit responds to major disasters such as the huge wildfires in Southern California. East says he may spend up to six months away from home as military leaders deploy his unit to sites around the state and the country.

“It’s hard for military families when the spouse is not around,” he said.

Kristen East supports other military families as a Family Readiness Group (FRG) volunteer coordinator. She said she was grateful for the chance to meet more women like her at Saturday’s party.

“It’s good to make these connections and to meet strong moms,” she said.

The Easts joined other guests in baby shower games like identifying melted chocolates in the dirty diaper game and chugging water in the bottle-guzzling contest.

National Guard Family Assistance Specialist Deborah Burrow said she had no idea what to expect as she connected military families to the baby shower.

“I’m so blown away,” she said.

The Walnut Creek resident said gatherings like this one build bonds between military families who do not live on bases.

According to Burrow, many military wives use social media tools like Facebook and text messages to keep in touch, organize events and support each other.

Burrow said it’s important to create these relationships before a loved one is deployed. That’s when family members feel vulnerable and worried about loved ones risking their lives to serve their country.

“It affects the entire family: mothers, fathers, brothers, everyone,” said Burrow.

Walnut Creek mom Olivia Currie's daughter is due April 28.

“I’m a little nervous,” Currie said after she showed off a white baby-doll dress and a tiny pair of sequined black slacks.

Her son was named after her husband, Specialist Michael Currie, who serves with 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in the 1-143 Field Artillery Battalion.

“I’m really excited to have all this girl's stuff because we have all boy's stuff at home,” Currie said.

Burrow says Currie’s husband and the 1-143rd FA are scheduled to deploy next year.

• Click here to learn more about Operation Showers of Appreciation.
• Watch the video to hear why Girl Scout Troop 32271 wanted to host Saturday’s baby shower.