Expectant mothers and mothers with infant children sat patiently at Assemblymember Grace Meng’s district office in Flushing on Friday, September 24 during her second annual Community Baby Shower.
The event brings together those who are in need of diapers, toys, books, clothes, baby food and formula. Approximately 40 mothers – who were able to prove their disadvantaged status – left with essentials for their child on a first come, first served basis.
“I have two young babies myself so that’s why I first thought of a community baby shower,” said Meng. “It’s one of our most fun events.”
Lending its support to the event was New York Hospital Queens, which donated presents for all the mothers; the Queens Vanguard Center and the March of Dimes, an organization dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
“There are things here that some people don’t have,” said Cynthia Cruz, a mother from Flushing. “It’s good that they are doing this.”
Being an infant advocate is not new to Meng, who had legislation pass both the House and the Senate in June requiring hospitals and birth centers to distribute information to new parents regarding how to sign up for email alerts concerning preventable infant injuries, toy recalls and more.
“Parents of newborn children in the hospital should be informed of the availability of this free information. With this new law, parents of infants will finally have some peace of mind if they happen to skip over a news article or report regarding a product recall,” said Meng.
THE QUEENS COURIER/Photos by Bob Doda
Assemblymember Grace Meng helps a new mother with some baby toys at the second annual Community Baby Shower.
Baby clothes in all sizes were readily available at the second annual Community Baby Shower.
