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Families expecting a new child soon have some additional good news; Marion County's World's Greatest Baby Shower is back for the third year in a row. Organized through the Healthy Start of North Central Florida Coalition and Well Florida Council, and brought to the public by Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, Tobacco Free Partnership of Marion County, Staywell Medicaid, Alpha Center for Women and AdventHealth Ocala, the county's World Greatest Baby Shower is a free, educational event for expectant and new parents.
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This year's event will be held on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, at the Marion County Sheriff's Office Multi-Purpose Room (3300 NW 10th St., Ocala). The Baby Shower will be offered in two sessions to accommodate the more than 300 families expected. The first session will run from 3-5 p.m.; the second will run from 6-8 p.m. Families can attend either session - the content will be the same in each one. There is no cost to attend and pre-registration is not required. Fathers are encouraged to join; an exciting activity just for dads will be held during each session.
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Shower attendees will learn about important newborn and early childhood topics, such as healthy lifestyles, infant safety, early literacy, and positive parenting, from community partners and organizations. Participants will also be able to obtain much-needed items for baby's arrival with door prizes and education-based drawings.
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For sponsorship or volunteer opportunities, please contact Erin Peterson at 352-727-0711 or epeterson@wellflorida.org. In-kind donation of baby items and monetary contributions are welcome. All donations are tax deductible, and 100 percent of the donations received go directly toward the event and families.
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For more information on the World's Greatest Baby Shower, please contact planning committee co-chairs Erin Peterson (352-727-0711, epeterson@wellflorida.org) or Blaire Peterson (352-228-9047, bpeterson@wellflorida.org).
