The Luke Nelson Community Baby Shower exceeded expectations on turnout….by a wide margin!

Organizers were hopeful of attracting 25 expectant mothers to the event which was designed to give pregnant women and their support systems information on safe sleep and other available community resources.

Terra Stroda with Delivering Change was excited about the turnout for the event this past Saturday at the Larry Dixon Center in Junction City. “About 20 minutes before the doors opened we looked outside and the line had snaked all the way to essentially across the street.”There were people waiting to get in 7:45 a.m.,  two-hours-and 15 minutes before the event started. The parking lots near the facility were full of cars.

Stroda said 101 pregnant women and approximately of their support personnel attended the community baby shower.

Jill Nelon was one of those who worked hard to help bring this event to Junction City. The shower was named after her son, SIDS baby Luke Nelson, who passed away in 2006. It was an honor to have the community baby shower named after her son. “It is very much an honor. I am overwhelmed by the turnout. Out of a really tragic situation this is something positive, and amazing, and something so important for our community. And I can’t ask for anything more.”

A number of local organizations ranging from Pawnee Mental Health to Parents as Teachers were represented at the community baby shower to distribute information. Organizers indicated they will have another community baby shower next year.