Expecting parents were showered with love, gifts, and resources at the Family Resource Center of the Redwoods’ semi-annual Community Baby Shower on March 15. Through the generosity of Crescent City Elks Lodge #1689 and many community partners, moms four months along or further were able to receive free diapers, diaper bags, baby wipes, books, food, information, and much more.

Along with diapers and diaper bags, the Elks Lodge donated car seats, strollers, playpens, and bouncers that would be up for raffle. RE/MAX Real Estate donated beautifully decorated diaper cakes that would also be raffled off.

The Community Baby Shower has been held at the FRC for almost a decade. Even during the COVID pandemic, they made sure to get gifts with resources to the community through a drive-thru Baby Shower.

This year, some of the partners offering resources included First 5 Del Norte, CalFresh, Del Norte Public Health, Sutter Health, Tobacco Free Del Norte, Redwood Coast Regional Center, Del Norte Reads, and the G.O.A.L. Program. 

For FRC Program Coordinator Daisy Carrillo, she knows how significant support from organizations is, and wants to give back herself.

“It is very important for me to give back to moms of Del Norte County because, like myself, I am a mom, and I know what it feels like in every way,” she said. “Whether it’s financially, emotionally, or just needing support, I know how important that is. And I love knowing that the Family Resource Center of the Redwoods offers all that to all these moms.” 

The FRC offers many programs to support moms through every step of their child’s development and beyond. From postpartum and breastfeeding support to Mom Nights and daycare, putting families first is what drives them, Carrillo said.

 “It’s just in my blood; it’s part of our nature. And we have a great group here at the Family Resource Center and Pacific Pantry-where everybody just wants to help; we just want to pay it forward to everyone,” she said.

About 30 attendees registered for the Community Baby Shower, according to Carrillo. She hopes that the moms who came saw all of their community partners “and how passionate we all are in helping one another.”

“We don’t want anyone to ever feel like they can’t ask for help. Whether it’s in pregnancy, whether it’s when the baby’s born, or even after-care, we want the community to know that you have an entire community here willing to help and support you,” she said.

This is the first baby shower where the FRC has collaborated with the Elks Lodge. Elks Member Val Butcher’s involvement led to her idea of the two organizations partnering, according to Past Exalted Ruler Everette Young. The Elks received the Beacon Grant, a community outreach grant for charitable Elks-led projects, which helped purchase their donations. 

With a focus on supporting veterans, the Elks also help youth and the community. 

Some of their programs include giving out scholarships to students, Drug Awareness, Purple Pig fundraising, and providing veteran services. 

“We are community-minded. That’s all we do, is serve our community and serve our membership,” Young said. 

Both the Elks Lodge on 359 H St. and Family Resource Center on 494 Pacific Ave. in Crescent City are buildings meant for the community to utilize, according to Carrillo and Young. 

Any non-profit or youth organization can use the Lodge, and any person or family can use the FRC’s amenities, such as its kitchen, computers, pantry, playroom, baby room, etc.  

The Family Resource Center of the Redwoods is open from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. For more information on the next Community Baby Shower and other resources, visit https://www.frcredwoods.org/ or call (707) 464-0955.

For more information on Crescent City Elks Lodge #1689, and to learn how to become an Elk, visit https://www.elks.org/lodges/home.cfm?LodgeNumber=1689 or call (707) 464-4448.