Every mom-to-be deserves a baby shower – especially those in need. Giving them a special event to remember is Carol Sharp’s mission.
With her nonprofit Warm Hearts Organization, the Westland grandma has been hosting showers for low-income women in southeast Michigan for 14 years now.
“Our bottom line is, ‘You are the magic that makes it happen,'” she says. “We work on creating aha moments.” Or, in other words, really bringing the idea of motherhood home in a supportive setting. “It’s easier to have an aha moment with a bunch of women.”
About 20-50 women attend Sharp’s showers, all of whom are either pregnant or have a baby under 9 months. There’s at least one shower per year. Breakfast, courses on safe sleep for baby and other parenting issues, lunch and gifts are included.
Each attendee also receives a diaper bag handmade of donated fabric and packed with quilts, burp cloths, bibs, sleepers, fleece sleep sacks and more, mostly made by volunteers. Bigger items like strollers, swings and highchairs are raffled.
“We inspire parenting and moms,” Sharp says. “They’re all so willing to learn and grow.”
The next event tentatively visits the Flint area in late October. To donate, attend or learn more, email warmheartsorg@aol.com or find “Warm Hearts Organization” on Facebook.
