USO Special Delivery USO’s Annual Baby Shower at Fort Leonard Wood: A Celebration of Community and New Beginnings

On Saturday, October 5th, USO Ft. Leonard Wood hosted its much-anticipated annual baby shower as part of the USO Special Delivery program. The heartwarming event brought together local military families and service members in celebration of new beginnings. This year’s gathering was made possible by the generous support of over 20 local donors, each contributing 100 essential baby items for parents and soon-to-be parents in the military community.

Parents arrived to receive their gifts, ranging from diapers and clothing to toys and baby gear. But the generosity didn’t stop there. With the help of key command spouses, 10 beautifully prepared baskets were delivered to the Labor and Delivery unit, ensuring that new military families receive a warm welcome as they embark on their parenting journey.

The sense of community was palpable, especially with the invaluable support from the local Marines. They helped transform the event space and assisted with logistics, carrying items to cars and helping with cleanup, ensuring everything ran smoothly.

“Yet again the USO at Fort Leonard Wood hosted another wonderful event. I am so blessed by being able to attend the baby shower. I had so much fun. We had a wonderful lunch and were given so many wonderful essentials for the baby! Thank you for hosting and allowing me the opportunity to attend,” said expecting mother, Amanda Grzybowski.

More than 35,000 expectant service members and military spouses have been served through the USO Special Delivery program since it was launched in 2013. Last year, 70% of attendees to USO Special Delivery programs worldwide stated this was the only baby shower they received to help them celebrate.

Every year the USO and Fort Leonard Wood military community looks forward to this wonderful event. This baby shower provides essential items for new families and fosters connections among parents, service members, and the community. The USO helps create a nurturing environment for future generations and is grateful for the collective effort that makes this event a success.

Learn more about the USO Special Delivery Program here: uso.org/usospecialdelivery