Babies and butterflies: Third annual community baby shower by R.O.C.K. Mat-Su gives out hundreds of dollars’ worth of gifts to expecting mothers and new families

WASILLA— The Mat-Su Health foundation building off Crusey Street buzzed with activity as a crowd of more than 450 people cycled through R.O.C.K. (Raising Our Children with Kindness) Mat-Su’s annual Community Baby Shower.

“It was packed door to door,” Chickaloon/Sutton Community Coordinator Telsche Thiessen said.

Desiré Shepler, director of R.O.C.K. Mat-Su said they gave away over 147 gift bags valued around $100 each. Each bag was loaded with baby essentials for new parents like handmade blankets and knit caps.

There were several stations that engaged the public with a series of family focused lessons and activities. There were even free haircuts and massages. Tina Fisher, owner of Upper Room Arts Studio oversaw an art station. She said the table was a hit and they went through 48 canvases, seeing a spectrum of pieces from all ages. As an art instructor, Fisher said one of her favorite aspects of this event was the sheer variety of the attendees’ paintings, each with their own style and approach.

“They’re all so different,” Fisher said.

Fisher was also very proud of her volunteer crew of young artists from her studio. This coincides with their class goals to support in the community. She said this event had a lot to offer families, especially new ones with all the free items and services.

“I think it’s a good way to celebrate young families,” Fisher said. “I was really impressed by the turn out. The staff are amazing.”

Fisher, her husband and her students spent several hours the night before decorating the inside of the building with the students’ handmade decorations. Several large and colorful butterflies were placed around the building.

It looked like spring had really sprung with the colorful crafts fluttering about and sound of babies infants cooing- and Shepler was thrilled with how everything came together.

“I can’t say enough good things,” Shepler said.

Just like conventional baby showers, where close friends and family members gather, pitch in and throw a bash for the mother to be, all with gifts to help get them started on their journey- the community baby shower had that same spirit, mothers daughters, sisters and wives from across the community to help all the same.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com