Forty expectant mothers from Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) got to be treated, as they put it, “like queens for a day,” when the PGA Tour and 2012 Northern Trust Open honored them at the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles.
The moms-to-be were picked up by bus at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, and taken to the country club, where they were treated to lunch and a baby shower. Each brought home a “Shower in a Box,” filled with baby clothes, a diaper bag and other essentials for a new mother, and when they returned to base, they could pick up a brand-new crib that turns into a toddler bed.
Several of the women also won prizes in a raffle, including two airline tickets to anywhere in the United States and a vacation at a five-star resort.
“This was a super sweet blessing,” said Christina Martinez-Salinas, whose first child is due in April.
Her husband, Utilitiesman 3rd Class Jesus Salinas, just returned home from a six-month deployment with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5.
“It was amazing,” said Pamm Klieman, a pre- and perinatal specialist with the Fleet and Family Support Center who traveled with the women to Los Angeles.
It was Klieman who received the call from the organizers of the PGA Tour’s Birdies for the Brave program that they wanted to conduct “Operation Shower” for the expectant mothers of NBVC. The program had been well-received at other military installations.
“The military is very near and dear to my heart,” said NBA legend Jerry West, executive director of the Northern Trust Open. “I believe it is important to show them how much we appreciate their service and sacrifice.”
Kleiman reached out to the ombudsmen and Family Readiness Group coordinators who serve the base and tenant commands, and they got the word out to mothers-to-be. The 40 spots filled up on a first-come, first-served basis.
The shower incorporated the Hollywood-based theme, “A Star is Born.” Actress Sarah Michelle Gellar, known mostly for her work in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” played a decidedly different role that day, serving as guest host of the shower.
Raffle winners were announced Oscar-style, with the phrase “And the winner is” preceding each name.
Ship’s Serviceman 2nd Class Crystal Zibrowski, assigned to the Point Mugu barracks, won the two airline tickets.
“We haven’t decided where we’ll go,” she said as husband Anthony tried to fit the crib into the back of their sport-utility vehicle. She’s due April 20.
She described the shower as “fabulous” and said she had no idea it would be so extravagant.
Martinez-Salinas spoke for many military spouses when she said the event filled a void. Her family lives in Texas, and no one locally has become a close enough friend to hold a shower.
“Not having family here, it’s nice to have someone throw a baby shower and show appreciation,” she said.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
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