Operation Shower, CA Soldiers provides comfort during times of Separation

Article and Photos by Staff Sgt. Gregory Sanders, 85^th Civil Affairs Brigade Public Affairs

 KILLEEN, Texas – Stacks and stacks of child safety seats, diaper bags and baby beds stand as they  appear as if they were getting ready for an in ranks inspection as the early morning light of the motor pool storage building was opened.  While it seems out of place, this building was used as temporary storage for gifts that would soon bring a comfort within a routinely stressful time in a mother's life during a super-sized baby shower Nov. 8.

     Members of the 85^th Civil Affairs Brigade assisted Operation Shower on Nov. 6th with the 26^th Event here with transporting a truck load of baby bags, beds and car seats from Fort Hood to the Killen Arts and Activities center, where several sponsors and volunteers hosted several new and expectant military mothers from across Fort Hood and Central Texas Community.  

     Many of the gifts were donated by local businesses, and sponsored by Babies ‘R’ Us corporation, another way companies show their support for the military.  The generosity of these companies overwhelmed the KAAC operations supervisor, Rachel Mcnutt.

     “I am shocked to see some of these corporations give back to Soldiers,” Mcnutt said, fighting back tears.  “As a former military member and military spouse, to see this [generosity] on such a massive scale is just…overwhelming. 

     Many expectant mothers from the 81^st Civil Affairs Battalion, who was one of the many units in attendance to include 1^st Cavalry Division, are getting ready to send their heroes off for an upcoming deployment later in next month, and the support from Operation Shower comes not a moment too soon.

     “Everyone wants a baby shower- to have a shower with your Family Readiness Group and have this experience is just great,” said Mcnutt

       Families are often impacted financially as they grow.  With estimates ranging from $150 to $300 per month on necessities like diapers and formula, any relief is welcomed relief.  Operation Shower has provided growing military families this relief since 2007 when a spouse took a simple request of writing a congratulatory card for four new mothers to another level.

      “It’s good for young Soldiers and young Families,” said Sgt. Maj. Dennis Guthrie, Senior Operations NCO with 85^th Civil Affairs Brigade.  “I’ve never seen these showers before, but it’s a good thing these young families get help; the cost of diapers and formula alone are outrageous.”

      Operation Shower is a non-profit organization that relies heavily on the donation of goods and services to sustain these showers. 

For more information, go to www.operationshower.org.

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1^st Sgt. John Hagemann, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 85^th Civil Affairs Brigade, and Spc. Maria Pinnick, a logistics specialist with the 85^th CA bde, assist a military spouse with items the spouse received at a baby shower Nov. 8.(Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Gregory Sanders, 85^th CA Bde. Public Affairs)

Soldiers assigned to 85^th Civil Affairs Brigade load a truck full of baby supplies in support of a baby shower in Killeen Nov. 8.  Operation Shower, a non-profit organization, has been organizing and sponsoring these showers since 2007.  (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Gregory Sanders, 85^th CA Bde. Public Affairs.)

Sgt. Maj. Dennis Guthrie, 85^th Civil Affairs Brigade, inspects the contents of a box expected at the Killeen Arts and Activities Center prior to a baby shower sponsored by Operation Shower scheduled for Nov. 8.  (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Gregory Sanders, 85^th CA Bde. Public Affairs)  

Members of the 85^th Civil Affairs Brigade unload a truckload of gifts and baby supplies at the Killeen Arts and Activities Center Nov. 6 as Sgt. Maj. Dennis Guthrie, 85^th CA Bde, and Rachel McNutt, Operations Supervisor for KAAC, look on.  The goods were stored in anticipation of a large baby shower scheduled to happen at the art center later in the week. (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Gregory Sanders, 85^th CA Bde. Public Affairs.)