More than 100 expectant mothers along with additional supporters attended the fourth Luke’s Community Baby Shower Saturday at the Shenk Gym at Junction City High School.  The event was sponsored by Delivering Change: Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies in partnership with the Kansas Infant Death and SIDS Network.

Delivering Change spokesperson Terra Stroda stated the attendance was up from 75 last time. “We invited all of the expectant Geary County mommies to come join us today to learn about safe sleep, breast feeding, lots of resources and services that are available in Geary County so that they’re well prepared before the baby arrives.”

There were booths from organizations ranging from Konza Prairie Community Health Center and Pawnee Mental Health Center to Women Infant Children.

Stroda said there is a committee of about 15 people that prepare the showers, with the focus on safe sleep. “And we want to make sure that we get to the moms to get them here. One of the things that we continue to work on, not only should mom come but to bring somebody that’s helping her care for the baby.” Stroda addded they also want to make the community baby shower new and vibrant and celebratory. “We have to remember these moms deserve our attention and our love. This community comes through in a big way every single baby shower to do that.”

The event is named after local SIDS baby Luke Nelson, who passed away in May of 2006 just short of being three months old. His mother Jill Nelson, who also works to help with the community baby shower,  called the event moving. “And it’s such a wonderful thing that a tragic situation has turned into such a beautiful thing. For our community, it’s a beautiful thing for my family and for everybody that I work with that works so hard to put this together. It’s outstanding!”