Interfaith Volunteers Gather Items for 48 Moms-to-Be

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By Mary Richards, Church News

When Becky Mauger’s mother was expecting her, Mauger’s father was serving in World War II. They were stationed at a military base in California’s Bay Area, far away from family members, living in a small home with very little money. Mauger’s mother worried how she would be able to purchase what was needed for a new baby.

Then one day, Mauger said her mother got a knock on the door from a group of women she had not met before.

“These women presented her with a layette for me, the baby-to-be,” Mauger said. “It took her breath away. She held it to her chest and cried. It was cloth diapers, receiving blankets and other items she needed for a new baby.”

Mauger always remembered her mother telling her that story. When Mauger retired from working and moved close to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, she wanted to help expectant mothers in the same way.

Volunteering with San Clemente Military Family Outreach has allowed her to do that. With service opportunities throughout the year to support military families at Camp Pendleton, and a recent baby shower for moms-to-be, Mauger is giving back in many ways.

“It’s just so joyful,” Mauger said. “It’s a wonderful way to say thank you to our military families for the sacrifices they make every day.”

 
Multifaith Efforts in San Clemente

Seven churches in the area help with the San Clemente Military Family Outreach and participated in this year’s baby shower on January 28, 2023.

Mauger belongs to St. Andrew’s by the Sea United Methodist Church, where the baby shower was held. The other faiths include The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Our Savior’s Lutheran, Christ Lutheran, St. Clement’s by the Sea, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church and Palisades United Methodist Church.

Anjie Martinis, a member of the stake Relief Society presidency in the San Clemente California Stake, said the stake is fortunate to be next to Camp Pendleton and has a branch on the base.

“We love working with our military,” Martinis said. “We are so blessed to be able to work alongside other people of faith who also want to help this great community who sacrifice so much for us and our country.”

San Clemente Military Family Outreach works with a military spouse advocate on the base to identify which families could use help throughout the year. The cost of living in the area is high, and at times different military members find themselves in need of support. Support is offered through financial aid, food donations and toy drives — and social connections like holiday parties and gatherings.

This year, they identified 48 expectant mothers to be invited to the yearly baby shower. In the weeks leading up to the event, many people from each church and the community gathered supplies, baby items and gift cards.

Martinis also listed the needs on JustServe.org and saw an incredible response from volunteers looking to help or to donate.

“JustServe is such a great tool, and this community likes it,” Martinis said.

Volunteers from the different churches and Mauger’s retirement community assembled 48 layettes the week before the shower. Each included enough items to help in the first three to six months of the baby’s life.

 
The Camp Pendleton Baby Shower

The day of the baby shower, each family checked in and received a goody bag with gift cards. Then they proceeded to pop-up stations to collect everything from a layette to a stroller or car seat or other large items, then a diaper bag, baby clothes, blankets, bibs, burp clothes, socks, toys, books, diapers, baby wipes and other hygiene products.

Martinis said what was not used at the military shower was then donated to an infant pantry in the adjacent town.

“This interfaith event shows so much unity and love for our soldiers, their families and our community,” she said.

Mauger was grateful for all the generosity of the donors and volunteers. “It was a wonderful event for 48 moms-to-be and so much fun for us all,” she said.

Many of the new parents invited to the shower were expecting their first child and were relocated to Camp Pendleton away from their families.

As she met them during the baby shower, Mauger was able to talk to them more about what the outreach group is all about and how it can help.

“We tell them we are here for you,” Mauger said. “They find out who we are, and if they have an emergency, they know who they can reach out to.”

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