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Boston Bruins, March of Dimes surprise military moms-to-be with baby shower

BOSTON — The Boston Bruins partnered up with the March of Dimes and Phillips to host a luncheon on Sunday afternoon to surprise more than 45 expectant military moms and dads with an educational baby shower at the UMass club.

In recognition of the many sacrifices of military families, the event was organized to bring a baby shower for moms-to-be who otherwise may not have had a baby shower. Since 2009, the March of Dimes has showered nearly 900 military moms at various bases across the country.

During the event, military moms received gift boxes filled with baby supplies and much more, got a chance to mingle with the Bruins' wives and girlfriends and received the latest pregnancy and newborn health information from the March of Dimes Mission: Healthy Baby program.

Founded in 1938 by former President Franklin D. Roosevelt as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis in an effort to combat polio, the organization formally became known as the March of Dimes Foundation in 2007.

Today, the organization aims at promoting healthy pregnancies and improving the health of mothers and babies through medical research, education of pregnant women, community programs, governmental advocacy and an overall support of pregnancy, which includes contraception as well as information on common pregnancy and newborn health risks.

For more than 75 years, the March of Dimes has helped moms and babies through research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs.

In keeping with the March of Dimes long history of support for the military, Mission: Healthy Baby was designed specifically to address the unique needs of military members who may be stationed far away from the support of family and friends, or who may be actively deployed while their partner is expecting a child at home.

“Having a baby is a joyful experience, however, it’s also one that comes with anxiety and stress, especially when your spouse is deployed overseas by the U.S. military,” said Colonel Harris Brooks, retired Air Force colonel and a member of the March of Dimes Board of Trustees. “The March of Dimes believes in supporting moms and moms-to-be and we’re grateful for this opportunity to help these military families. These showers and our Mission: Healthy Baby program give families the comfort and support they deserve."

But the efforts didn't stop there. Together, the March of Dimes and Phillips have launched an online community to support the Mission: Health Baby shower events. Military families are able to access a variety of resources on pregnancy and baby health and an opportunity to communicate directly with peers, volunteers and health experts. Military moms and dads can join at missionhealthybaby.org.

"This has been a tremendous, heartfelt experience for everyone involved,” said Peg Campbell, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility for Philips North America. “Being able to support the Mission: Healthy Baby program and the men and women of our armed services is an honor — defending our country is a noble calling —and we at Philips proudly stand with the March of Dimes in providing for families at this important moment.”