For eleven years the women’s service club, Soroptimist International of Bend (SI Bend) has been making local babies a priority by holding their annual Community Baby Shower. Making Bend’s babies warm and cuddly happens because of the generous community donations dropped into the SI Bend Community Baby Shower Baskets located at businesses around town and by the various handcrafted items created by residents of area residential communities.
The 2016 SI Bend Community Baby Shower begins February 1 and runs through March 3. SI Bend is in partnership with the Deschutes County Department of Human Services who distributes the items to local families in need of clothing and basic baby care supplies. The 2015 Community Baby Shower collected over 1,600 donated items with an estimated value of $15,000.
SI Bend is pleased to have the cooperation of local businesses which place a baby collection basket in their retail space for the general public to drop off donated items such as new or gently used baby clothing, diapers, unwrapped clothing, blankets, hygiene items, bottles and pacifiers.
These baskets cannot accept large items such as a used car seat. Business locations of the Baby Baskets are –C.E. Lovejoy’s Brookswood Market, Hopscotch Kids, QuiltWorks, WillowBerry Rivals and BJ’s Quilt Basket.
SI Bend is very grateful for the beautifully handcrafted items donated by residents of local residential homes. Handmade items include knitted blankets, booties, hats and sweaters to baby sized quilts and more. Participating area residences include: Aspen Ridge, Prestige High Desert, Stone Lodge, Touchmark and Whispering Winds.
For details, please contact the Soroptimist member co-chairs Judy McLeary at 541-678-5203 and/or Susie Fagen-Wirges 541-388-2604.
