At Operation Shower, we could not continue to give amazing showers to military moms-to-be whose husbands are currently deployed overseas without your help.

In addition to our annual Mother’s Day unit-wide and multi-unit wide celebrations, we also send individual “Showers in a Box” throughout the year. Here’s how you can help.

When you visit the Operation Shower website at www.operationshower.org there are multiple ways to contribute to the cause. By clicking Contribute on the Operation Shower website you will see a number of different ways you can help.

One option is to donate a specific monetary amount. Dollars that are donated to Operation Shower go directly to the moms we are showering. For our annual Mother’s Day celebrations when we bring groups of moms-to-be for a big baby shower, funds help provide items like food and refreshments. Funds are also used to purchase things like boxes, tape, packing material, to pay for shipping individual boxes throughout the year, and to buy gifts like toys, blankets and books that help “round out” each shower in a box to make it unique and special.

Another option on the Operation Shower website is to earmark your donation to go toward a specific type of purchase. For instance, you can choose to give $20 towards baby bath items or $25 to buy a pair of Vincent Shoes.

Finally, we love for people to help by hosting a fundraiser to help raise money or collect product. Please contact me at kris @ cleverparents (dot) com to learn more!

To learn more about corporate sponsorships, please contact me at kris @ cleverparents (dot) com.

CLAYTON, MO (April 24, 2009) Sixty-five new moms and moms-to-be from four branches of the military in 15 states across the nation will be showered with gifts between now and Mother’s Day as a part of the latest efforts of Operation Shower. Operation Shower, a non-profit organization run by two stay-at-home moms, produces and coordinates baby showers for pregnant and expecting military personnel and their families.

This Mother’s Day, Operation Shower has teamed up with Cloud B and thirty-three more sponsors to host green baby showers for expectant women whose husbands are currently deployed overseas. Thanks to many generous donations, Operation Shower will put smiles on 65 women’s faces when they open their special eco-friendly “Showers in a Box” containing gifts and surprises valued at several hundred dollars each; all donated by generous companies and people from across the nation.

“Becoming a parent is challenging enough when you have the hands-on support of your spouse, friends and family, doing that with a husband fighting in a war is something you can’t imagine unless you are in those shoes,” said Operation Shower co-founder Lena Morrissey.

“Putting on these showers is one small way that we hope gives the moms a special memory and shows our support for the sacrifices these dedicated women and their families make for our country.” added Operation Shower co-founder Kris Jackson.

Military moms-to-be in Fort Hood, Texas and Scott Air Force Base, Illinois will be celebrated at unit-wide and multi-unit eco-friendly baby showers on May 2nd and May 9th respectively. In addition to all of the amazing “green” gifts the moms will receive, Operation Shower is making sure the showers are as green as possible by using recycled paper goods and celebrating with real dishes, flatware, glasses and linens; creating centerpieces and décor items from gifts that will be used as giveaways; and sending keepsake invitations from Tiny Prints on recycled cardstock. Even the boxes and limited packaging materials for each of the boxes used recycled material and Operation Shower will be planting a tree via the Arbor Foundation in every baby’s honor.

Each mom will receive stylish, eco-friendly items from shower sponsor Cloud B as well as wonderful products and services from the following sponsors: Baby Blend Tees, Care.com, Childish Clothing, Cozy Cocoon, Flower Duet, Hug A Monkey, ImagiPLAY, Julian & Co, Kirby Ink, Moms on Call, MyBabyPlace, PeaceLoveMom, Resa Design, Sage Creek Organics, Sprig Toys, Sofia Bean, The Safe Sippy, The Ultimate Green Store, Tiny Tales and Vincent Shoes.

“Cloud B is excited to participate with Operation Shower to help provide these wonderful ladies with a baby shower that they deserve. Our products are designed to help children and their parents get a better night’s rest, and we are delighted to make bed time routines more relaxing and easier for these families. Cloud B truly appreciates the sacrifice that these men and women have made to serve our country, and we hope our contribution will help bring extra joy to this happy occasion,” says Nader Hamda, co-founder and COO of Cloud B.

Surprises will continue at the showers when the moms have the chance to win amazing raffle items from Anka, Angela Breckenridge Photography, City Sprouts, Jane Marvel, lillebaby and Micralite. W.N. Epstein & CO. donated shipping services for the showers and media sponsors include Clever Parents, Integrity, Lena’s Notebook, Stem, teensygreen and The Cradle.

May 2nd will be even more meaningful for the founders of Operation Shower. After showering more than 200 military moms-to-be since 2007, Lena Morrissey and Kris Jackson will meet for the first time at Fort Hood, Texas.

ABOUT OPERATION SHOWER: Operation Shower is a non-profit organization (pending 501(c)(3) status) created by the founders of Lena’s Notebook (www.lenasnotebook.com) and Clever Parents (www.cleverparents.com), two websites focused on parents and parenting, to recognize and honor the sacrifices military families make by producing and coordinating baby showers for pregnant and expecting military personnel and their families. For more information about the showers and to donate, visit the Operation Shower website at www.operationshower.org. In addition to the unit and multi-unit wide showers given in honor of Mother’s Day, Operation Shower sends “showers in a box” to expecting military wives throughout the year. Moms-to-be can submit themselves or be nominated to receive a box online at www.operationshower.org.

ABOUT CLOUD B: Cloud B is dedicated to helping children of all ages sleep better. Our philosophy is that every child deserves a sound night’s sleep for healthy development, Cloud B has become a trusted name with parents worldwide. Our award-winning products are developed in consultation with an Advisory Board of pediatricians and specialists with a single focus: to achieve a better, safer sleep for your child. Our devotion to innovation is matched by our passion for design and style. Cloud B uses only the finest materials to ensure the quality and elegance that your child deserves. Cloud B is also dedicated to providing less fortunate children the quality sleep they deserve through product donations and financial contributions to charitable organizations nationwide.� (www.cloudb.com)

# # #

Military Moms-to-Be Receive Baby Showers ‘In a Box’

Imagine becoming a parent while your spouse is overseas fighting in a war. The emotions of giving birth are life-changing and with a spouse deployed overseas, those feelings have an additional component that can’t be imagined unless you are in that situation.

In celebration of Mother’s Day, Operation Shower has partnered with Cloud B to honor moms-to-be with their first ever eco-friendly baby shower. On May 2nd and May 9th, 60 deserving moms-to-be whose husbands are deployed overseas will be showered with gifts donated by generous companies and people across the nation.

Military moms-to-be in Fort Hood, Texas and at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois will be celebrated in style – eco-friendly style, that is – with fabulous gifts from many people and companies. The showers are possible in great part because of generous product sponsors, including Cloud B and the following:

Anka
Baby Blend Tees
Childish
Cozy Cocoon
Flower Duet
ImagiPLAY
Jane Marvel
lillebaby
Micralite
Kirby Ink
The Safe Sippy
Sage Creek Organics
Sofia Bean
Sprig Toys
The Ultimate Green Store
Vincent Shoes

WN Epstein is the official shipping sponsor for Operation Shower and media sponsors include Clever Parents, Lena’s Notebook, Integrity, Stem and The Cradle.

Donations are still needed to make the boxes complete. To contribute, please visit the Operation Shower website at www.operationshower.org.

Operation Shower gathered last Saturday in Fort Bragg, North Carolina for a Mother’s Day celebration to complete the mission of showering 100 new moms and moms-to-be whose husbands are soldiers. Twenty moms and their soon-to-be redeployed husbands from the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion gathered for an afternoon of food, gifts, raffle prizes and fun.

As an Operation Shower co-founder, it is always a humbling experience for me to participate in these events. It is an honor and a privilege to be able to do something – even if it’s small – to show appreciation for our military families.

I was most moved when speaking to the Commander of the Battalion, Leo J Ruth, II, LTC CA, Commanding, whose words I share below.

“The United Stated has waged a war against Muslim Extremists since October 2001. Over the past few years there are numerous media reports stating the US populace supports our troops, but doesn’t support the war. I don’t believe you can have one without the other. People voluntarily join the military. They have no input to what war to fight. Over four thousand Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen have lost their life and tens of thousands of them have received drastic injuries that will change their quality of life for ever. Not supporting the war means the people who gave their life for no good reason.”

“The military family is the cornerstone to the Soldiers fighting this war. The military family is the entity that makes the biggest sacrifice so the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen can fight the war. Operation Shower proves that the American public and American business elite support our troops and more importantly, the military family. Having organizations provide support to my unit’s expectant mothers makes me proud to be an American. It lets the military person and military family know that the American public recognizes and supports our sacrifice.”

“The American people stand united together.”

Thank you for your continued support of Operation Shower. The Mother’s Day events would not have been possible without the support of the Operation Shower sponsors: Lena’s Notebook, Clever Parents and Wal-Mart as well as all of the companies and individuals that provided donations (see a full list of the company donations here). Without the donations and assistance that you provide, we would not be able to continue on our mission. Thank you.

Learn more about Operation Shower at www.operationshower.org

May 10, 2008 & May 11, 2008: Raleigh, NC – based WRAL TV station runs feature story on Operation Shower including footage the Fort Bragg Mother’s Day event and of Clever Parents and Operation Shower co-founder, Kris Jackson.

May 9, 2008: NBC-17 Runs Preview Story on Operation Shower including footage of items being sent to Fort Bragg for the Mother’s Day event and an interview with Clever Parents and Operation Shower co-founder, Kris Jackson.

The Operation Shower Mother’s Day celebration is officially underway as 50 Marine Corps and Navy moms-to-be received thousands of dollars worth of gifts this weekend as a part of an effort to shower 100 expectant moms between now and Mother’s Day. On Friday, fifty people gathered on a beautiful California afternoon overlooking the Desert Palms Golf Course to celebrate 20 very special moms to be at Twentynine Palms whose husbands are deployed overseas. The festivities continued the following day in San Diego where 30 moms-to-be whose husbands are aboard the USS Nimitz opened presents, won raffle items and talked babies.

“I am so thankful for Operation Shower and this celebration,” said one excited mom-to-be. “With the TV cameras and all of these gifts, I felt like I was on Oprah!” The presents consisted of everything from basic necessities like diapers, wipes and baby care items to larger raffle items like high chairs and car seats. The showers were a hit thanks to thousands of dollars worth of donations from Wal-Mart, its suppliers and 40 other generous companies, both small and large. Rosemary Anthony, President and Founder of Love Me Baby Me, attended the Twentynine Palms shower and gifted all of the women with a gift set of her baby care line.

One mom who has two older children said that it was fun to receive new items that she had never heard of before like BabyLegs leg warmers and Halo Sleepsacks. Another was thrilled to meet a woman whose husband works side by side with hers on the USS Nimitz. The two connected and exchanged numbers, happy to have found a new friend.

“Being a part of these showers is such a humbling experience,” said Lena Morrissey, co-founder of Operation Shower who hosted both of the California events. “These women are so strong and so deserving. With husbands overseas, the stress that they experience must be immense and adding to the family at the same time is particularly challenging. We’re just happy to be able to make this time a little more special.”

Next Sunday, the celebration continues in Fort Bragg, North Carolina and at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. To learn more about the upcoming events or to attend as media, contact Operation Shower co-founder Kris Jackson at kris (at) cleverparents (dot) com.

Learn more about Operation Shower at www.operationshower.org

100th Anniversary of Mother’s Day Prompts Baby Showers for 100 Military Moms

Raleigh, NC – One hundred new moms and moms-to-be from four branches of the military will be showered with gifts between now and Mother’s Day as a part of the latest efforts of Operation Shower. Operation Shower has teamed up with Wal-Mart to host baby showers at four bases: USS Nimitz (California), Twentynine Palms (California), Scott AFB (Illinois) and Ft. Bragg (North Carolina). Moms will receive donated items from Wal-Mart, its suppliers and other companies in a “Shower in a Box”.

“It is challenging enough to become a parent when you have the hands-on support of your spouse, friends and family,” said Operation Shower co-founder Lena Morrissey. “We want to celebrate these deserving women by making the birth of their children a little more special; honoring them on Mother’s Day seemed like an extra special way to do that,” added Operation Shower co-founder Kris Jackson.

Thanks to the generous donations from Wal-Mart, its suppliers and many other wonderful companies, Operation Shower hopes to put a smile on 100 women’s faces when they open their special “Showers in a Box” at four baby showers in California, Missouri and North Carolina.

The showers are hosted by Operation Shower (www.operationshower.org), a non-profit organization created by the founders of Lena’s Notebook (www.lenasnotebook.com) and Clever Parents (www.cleverparents.com), two websites focused on parents and parenting. For more information about the showers and to donate, visit the Operation Shower website at www.operationshower.org

Contact: Kris Jackson, kris (at) cleverparents (dot) com

ABOUT OPERATION SHOWER: Operation Shower is a non-profit organization (pending 501(c)(3) status) that recognizes and honors the sacrifices military families make by producing and coordinating baby showers for pregnant and expecting military personnel and their families. Operation Shower was formed by Lena Morrissey of Lena’s Notebook (www.lenasnotebook.com) and Kris and David Jackson of Clever Parents (www.cleverparents.com) To learn more, make a donation or sponsor a shower, visit www.operationshower.org.

ABOUT LENA’S NOTEBOOK: Lena’s Notebook (www.lenasnotebook.com) is an online magazine for the modern mom. The Notebook’s philosophy is “if we learn it, we should share it.” The Notebook’s goal is to share with others — whether it’s sharing ideas or giving back through charitable causes.

ABOUT CLEVER PARENTS: Raleigh, NC based Clever Parents (www.cleverparents.com) offers advice and interviews, tips and reviews from more than 100 parent columnists for parents who want to get ahead, look good, stay fit, maintain balance and make the most of every day. Now also featuring vidcasts at Clever Parents TV (www.cleverparents.tv).

Support The Families of Our Troops Without Leaving the Comfort of Your Home

Imagine being pregnant while your spouse is deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan. Operation Shower is a charity that supports our troops and their families by providing baby showers to moms and moms-to-be whose husbands are deployed overseas defending America’s interests. You can help support Operation Shower’s next shower in Fort Hood, Texas, which will honor 50 new moms and moms-to-be by hosting your own ‘virtual shower’.

A virtual shower is an easy way for you and your friends, family, playgroup, church group, book club and other groups to help our men and women in uniform and their families. To host a shower, simply email friends and family and ask them to make a donation on the Operation Shower website (www.operationshower.org). (To go directly to the donation page, visit www.operationshower.org/contribute/ )

Money raised through virtual showers will buy diapers, clothing, books, toys and other essential items to celebrate the courage our military families.

To watch a video segment of a previous Operation Shower event held in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, visit www.cleverparents.tv/2007/06/04/vidcast-25/

For more information on hosting a virtual shower, contact Kris Jackson at kris@cleverparents.com

ABOUT OPERATION SHOWER: Operation Shower (www.operationshower.org) is a non-profit organization (pending 501(c)(3) status) that recognizes and honors the sacrifices military families make by producing and coordinating baby showers for pregnant and expecting military personnel and their families.

Gifts sent from around the country will arrive at Fort Hood, Texas on Saturday, December 8, 2007 as part of a baby shower for 50 Army moms sponsored by Operation Shower. The initial Operation Shower, held this summer at Fort Bragg, NC for 17 Army moms was such a success that the the co-sponsors of the event, Lena’s Notebook and Clever Parents, formed Operation Shower, a non-profit, to show support for military families. Operation Shower coordinates and supports baby showers nationwide for military moms and the spouses of deployed servicemen. The 1st Medical Brigade at Fort Hood, Texas was selected as the site of the next Operation Shower event to be held on Saturday, December 8, 2007.

Because becoming a parent is challenging, having a spouse deployed or being an active duty solider greatly intensifies that challenge. The mothers include both the spouses of active duty soldiers currently deployed as well as active duty soldiers from the 1st Medical Brigade. Help make Operation Shower: Fort Hood a success.

Individuals and companies interested in contributing to the shower may send donations to:
Lena’s Notebook
Attn: Operation Shower
125 Brighton Way
Clayton, MO 63105

Operation Shower started as a way to recognize and honor the sacrifice that military families make for our country. “The outpouring of support for the initial Operation Shower made us think we were onto to something big. With little publicity we were able to raise more than $10,000 worth of donated gifts for the moms,” said Clever Parents co-founder Kris Jackson.

“And once we saw how much the shower meant to the moms, we knew this was something that we wanted to expand to other bases and branches of the military. We are very excited to bring Operation Shower to Fort Hood,” said co-founder Lena Morrissey.

The shower is hosted by Lena’s Notebook (www.lenasnotebook.com) and Clever Parents (www.cleverparents.com), two websites focused on parents and parenting. For more information about the shower, visit the Operation Shower website at www.operationshower.org

David and Kris are thrilled to announce the birth of the latest Clever Parents team member…

Charles Jackson.

Charles was born on Thursday, September 20, 2007.

He weighs 8 pounds 4 ounces and is 20 inches long.

Mommy and Charles are doing well as is the rest of the family, especially Henry and Will who are eagerly anticipating teaching Charles to walk.

On the nursing front, Henry and Will are both quite curious. I was nursing Charles Sunday after coming home from the hospital with him. Henry was interested in the process especially when Charles spit up a little milk, then when some milk dripped onto Charles’ outfit.

Henry said, “I don’t want to see that, ’cause I’m not a milk man.”

Will’s response has been really positive to his new little brother. He calls Charles ‘my baby’ and jumps up and down when he sees him.

The first comment that hinted otherwise came Tuesday when Henry was at preschool. Will, irritated that Charles had to eat before we could go on a walk, said to me, “No – I don’t want my baby! I want my baby to go back in your belly!”

How about you? What are some of the amusing things your children have said when a new baby joined your family?

A few days ago, David and I had fun chatting with the one and only Go-To Mom – Kimberley Blaine – on BlogTalkRadio. To listen to the interview, click: www.cleverparents.com/podcasts/GTMinterview_8_26_2007.mp3

Kimberley also happens to be a video correspondent for Clever Parents TV. Visit Kimberley’s website at www.gotomom.tv

We know you’re Clever, now everyone else can know as well.

Currently available in a women’s white scoop neck fitted style, the 100% cotton shirt is available in size small to extra large for $20. Have a question about the shirts? Email info (at) cleverparents (dot) com.

Select a Size

SmallMediumLargeX-Large

Have you ever been to a baby shower for 17 moms?

Enjoy this bird’s eye view of the shower thrown for 11 moms and moms-to-be of deployed soldiers in Iraq and 6 moms who are also active duty soldiers.

See the vidcast.

Read more about Operation Shower: Fort Bragg here.

When expectant mother Amy Gordon was invited to a baby shower on Sunday, she thought she’d get the usual blankets, bottles and binkies.

What she got was about $600 worth of baby gifts, as did 16 other mothers or mothers-to-be connected with the 32nd Medical Logistics Battalion.

The only thing missing from the lavish gift basket was a silver spoon.

“It’s amazing,” said Gordon, while admiring the overflowing baby supplies during the afternoon shower at a Fort Bragg community center. “I figured, we’d get together, get to meet everyone, but I never managed anything like this.”

Gordon’s husband, Jason, is a soldier in the 32nd unit and serving his third tour in Iraq. The couple is expecting their third child in December.

The other women invited were either active soldiers or married to men deployed to Balad, Iraq, 50 miles north of Baghdad.

Operation Baby Shower was the brainchild of several caring and cyber-savvy parents. Lena Morrissey, a wife and mother from St. Louis, wanted to do something for new and expecting moms who were working in the 32nd Battalion of her relative, Lt. Col. Mark Stubbs.

She put the word out on her Web site (www.lenasnotebook.com) and also contacted Kris and David Jackson of www.cleverparents.com.

The idea of a baby shower for the military moms was born.

In about one month, more than 50 companies from 25 states and individuals donated gifts. The Jacksons estimated Sunday’s merchandise totaled about $10,000.

“They told me it was going to be a baby celebration,” said April Catlaw, who attended with 6-week-old Kiley Rain. “I thought maybe we’d get a pack of diapers.”

Catlaw did get diapers, along with a diaper bag, clothes, shoes, books, toys, DVDs and baby products.

The gift that was the hit of the party was a onesie, fit for a military baby. The words “Active Doodie” were displayed on the bottom.

The tiny garments from www.rocknsprouts.com were in camouflage pink or green.

The onesie is perfect for 3-month-old Gabriel, whose dad, Shawn, is in Iraq and mom, Monica, who also served in the Army.

“(Local organizer) Lois (Stubbs) told me it was going to be a lot, but I didn’t expect this much,” Monica Stamper said. “A whole box for everyone. That’s crazy.”

The Jacksons, a nonmilitary family from Raleigh, hope to make Operation Baby Shower available to other military families around the country. They and Morrissey are in the early stages of forming a nonprofit organization.

As for the military moms from the 32nd who helped host the party, some had a slight case of Operation Baby Shower envy.

“I wish they did this 10 years ago,” said Crystal Daulton, mother of a 9 and 8 year old.

Staff writer Hilary Kraus can be reached at kraush@fayobserver.com or 323-4848, ext. 331.

Article reprinted with permission from The Fayetteville Observer (www.fayobserver.com)

Read the article and see pictures of the event on The Fayetteville Observer website.

Read the Clever Parents summary of the shower celebrating 17 military moms from the 32nd Medical Logistics Battalion.

Family and friends of new and expectant military moms from the 32nd Military Logistics Battalion gathered together today in Fort Bragg, North Carolina to see seventeen women showered with gifts sent by people and individuals from across the nation. Clever Parents hosted the event with our very good friend Lena Morrissey of Lena’s Notebook, to recognize expectant and new moms, eleven of whose spouses are deployed and six of whom are active duty soldiers.

Due to the overwhelming generosity of more than 50 companies and numerous individuals, each mom received a large box with an assortment of items selected for them including Johnson’s Baby products, Kalencom diaper bags, Vincent baby shoes, diapers, books, clothing from online children’s stores from across the nation, personalized Support Our Troops yard signs from Yard Art, baby blankets, towels, and much more. Expectant moms and those with the youngest babies also received beautiful Svan bouncers, courtesy of Scandinavian Child. (View a list of the companies who donated items to the shower here.)

Awe and excitement describes the festivities and the moms’ reactions. April, mom to a six week old baby, expressed her heartfelt gratitude and surprise upon seeing the extent of the outpouring of support. “I was really shocked to see that so many people came to support us – People that we don’t even know,” says one new mom whose husband is deployed and who herself is also an active duty soldier. “It’s just really good to feel supported.”

Both Clever Parents and Lena’s Notebook want to express our sincere thanks to everyone who made this shower a success and we want to express our gratitude to the families of the 32nd Medical Logistics Battalion at Fort Bragg. We were truly impressed by their spirit and optimism and humbled by their sacrifices for our country. We salute you.

Because of the success of this shower, Clever Parents and Lena’s Notebook are in the process of forming a non-profit organization in order to host showers such as this across the nation. If you are interested in donating to future showers, please contact Kris Jackson at kris@cleverparents.com for more information or send items to:

Operation Shower
c/o Clever Parents
514 Daniels Street
Suite 270
Raleigh, NC 27605

View footage from the shower in Fort Bragg on Vidcast Episode #25 on CleverParents TV.

*Group photo courtesy Aimee Bickers of Pure Expressions Photography.

WNCN-TV

RALEIGH, N.C. — 17 future mothers received gifts from anonymous donors as part of a large baby shower.
Each one of the moms is connected by military service. Some of them are soldiers while others are wives of soldiers.

The shower was hosted by Kris and David Jackson of cleverparents.com, and Lena Morrissey, owner of Lenasnotebook.com.
Lois Stubbs, the wife of the 32nd Medical Logistics Battalion Commander and Family Readiness Group Leader offered her expertise and assistance. She remembers being pregnant with a deployed husband and wanted to do something nice for the other mothers.
The shower was posted on a Web site and 50 corporations from 25 states donated goodies.

All of the moms were grateful for the items. The baby shower was so successful, the organizers may do it again for other families stationed at other military installations.

If you would like to learn more about the shower, log on to www.cleverparents.com.

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19025130/

Check back for video of the NBC news story that ran in conjunction with this article on NBC-17 in Raleigh, North Carolina on June 3rd, 2007.

June 3, 2007: NBC-17 Runs Feature Story on Operation Shower including footage from the event and interview with Clever Parents co-founder, Kris Jackson.

June 3, 2007. News 14 Carolina features Operation Shower at Fort Bragg. 17 Army moms showered with gifts for their babies.

June 1, 2007. WRAL-TV anchor Lynda Loveland interviews Clever Parents co-founder, Kris Jackson, on live morning TV about upcoming Operation Shower baby shower for 17 Army moms in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.