MANSFIELD — Thursday was a beautiful autumn day offering a crisp background for a great turnout at the annual Richland County Community Baby Shower.
The event at the Mid-Ohio Conference Center was coordinated by the Community Health Access Project and Richland County Youth and Family Council.
When guests arrived, they would check in at a table with their names. While the event was open to everyone, people who pre-registered for the baby shower were entered into a raffle for door prizes.
They were also given some gifts, such as a free diaper bag.
Once inside the main room, guests started a line and walked past each vendor. Each vendor offered a variety of items and some had small games or activities.
The vendors also offered booklets or pamphlets filled with information about their respective agency and its available services.
One such vendor was Avita Health System.
“This is our first year with this event, but we have participated in multiple baby shower events over the years,” Amanda Hatcher said.
Avita gave away a stroller as a door prize and also had gift bags filled with diapers, medicine spoons, and more.
The gift bags were given to guests, as they stopped by their vendor table along with information about the hospital’s pediatricians and many different baby resources.
Towards the back of the room, there was a onesie decorating station. This activity was funded and provided by Ohio Health.
“This year, we were able to sponsor the onesie decorating station. So people who attend the baby shower can decorate a onesie or bib for their new little one,” said Kelly Payne.
“We are just really excited to be involved. It is nice to get out of the hospital and meet those in the community that we see and we serve.”
Guests were also welcome to food that was provided for lunch. Tables decorated with pink and blue balloons were set up throughout the room, where the guests could eat and visit.
Molina Healthcare was a lead sponsor at the event. Molina provided diapers and wipes for the families, and donated toward the food for the event. O’Charley’s helped to provide dessert for the guests and vendors.
A coloring and drawing station was set up for children attending the event with their parents.
“This is my first year,” Amya, a guest, stated. “The decorations are nice. Walking to the different tables and seeing the different themes is fun.”
At each table, guests received a sticker for a card that worked as a bingo system. Once the card was filled from the vendors, they placed it in a basket up front.
These cards were then drawn for the big basket prizes that consisted of various items.