Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske's baby shower for impoverished mothers of newborns was termed a success by Tiffany Andrews, the 5th District councilwoman's neighborhood liaison. Schipske and Health Department public nurses raised more than $2,000 and assembled 180 bags of necessities for the moms -- about double the number last year.
Here's the entire e-mail from Andrews:
This year's Community Baby Shower was a HUGE success. It was evident that the downturn in the economy does not keep the generous in heart down. We received over $2,000 in monetary donations. Corporate sponsorship from Sam's Club and Target. Some of our other donors were: Friends of the Long Beach Fire Fighters, Stitches from the Heart, Postal Annex, Long Beach Memorial, Law Office of Sandra H. Castro, Soroptimist International of Long Beach, Campfire USA, Girl Scout Troop 2983, City Presbyterian Church, Long Beach Alliance Church, Kaiser Permanente, Binky Patrol, Long Beach Orange Ave. Senior Center Sewing Class, Quilters by the Sea, and Students of Chapman University. Over 180 complete newborn bags were assembled at the Wednesday, May 20th event, in comparison to last years 97 bags, and will be distributed through the City of Long Beach public health nurses. If a mother in need would like a newborn kit call Pam Shaw, Nursing Services Officer, at (562) 570-4208.
