USO San Diego hosts baby shower for 60 expecting military families

CHULA VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — A tea party–themed baby shower in Chula Vista celebrated 60 expecting military families on Sunday.

Organizers said this marked the largest event of its kind hosted by USO San Diego. The celebration, called Special Delivery Operation Baby Shower, was held at the Elks Club and featured games, gifts, and support for both expecting mothers and fathers.

Eden Caliboso is the operations specialist with USO San Diego and said an event like this is important. 

“We have about 50 to 60 expectant moms and dads as well,” she said. “It’s very important because some of these moms are away from their families, especially the new, first-time moms. They don’t have a baby shower at all or they’re not close to their families.”

Organizers said the event also brought together military families who already have children to share advice and encouragement with new parents.

“Balboa Hospital, which is a military hospital here in San Diego, stated we have between 200 to 250 babies born every month,” said Lilly Molina, grant coordinator with the Elks Club.

The USO’s Special Delivery program launched in 2013 and has supported more than 50,000 military parents nationwide. The USO said a survey taken last year showed 73% of attendees said this would be the only baby shower their family would receive.

For San Diego’s South Bay, where more than 115,000 active-duty service members are stationed, the event offered more than gifts -- it gave military families a sense of community during a major life milestone.