THOMASTON — Healthy Kids will host a free Community Baby Shower and Resource Fair, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, from 9 a.m. - noon, at the Thomaston Academy Gym, 60 Main St., Thomaston.

This fun and educational event, free of charge, is for all expecting new moms and families from Lincoln and Knox County families.

The first 100 families to register before February 8 at www.healthkidsmaine.org will receive a welcome bag, filled with a variety of information, resources and helpful goodies. The event includes a new and gently used baby clothing and equipment boutique, a raffle with a variety of newly donated baby supplies and equipment, a balloon arch for photo ops (donated by Gears and Vinyl), free shoulder/neck or foot massages for parents (provided by Camden Maine Massage Therapy) and light food and coffee (donated by Flipside Coffee and French and Brawn).

The following resource providers will be on hand at the Resource Fair to meet, greet and share information with families: Alfond Scholarship Foundation, Coastal Recovery Community Center, Community Doulas, Early Intervention for ME, FAME, First 10 Wiscasset, GEAR Parent Network, Head Start/Midcoast Maine Community Action, Head Start/Penquis, Healthy Kids, Healthy Lincoln County, Help ME Grow, Lincoln Hospital Maternity, Maine Center for Disease Control, Maine Families, MaineHealth, MaineHealth Pediatric – Rockport, Maine SNAP-Ed, New Hope Midcoast, Penobscot Bay Community Health Partnerships, Pen Bay Pediatrics, Public Health Nursing, Roots of Reverie, Thomaston Public Library and Whole Families.

Healthy Kids has been generously supported by the following event planning partners, whom we wish to thank: Coastal Recovery Community Center, First 10 Wiscasset, Maine CDC, MaineHealth, Midcoast Public Health Council and the Thomaston Public Library. Additionally, over 30 providers, businesses and non-profit organizations have enthusiastically come together to support families and make this event happen by hosting donation boxes, making donations, recruiting volunteers or making direct donations.

Healthy Kids thanks the following: Area Interfaith Outreach (AIO), Bath Savings, Bremen Union Church, Camden Maine Massage Therapy, Central Lincoln County YMCA, The Clubhouse of Camden, The Coastal Recovery Community Center, Colby and Gale, Inc., The Congregational Church of Bristol (UCC), First 10 Wiscasset, Flanigan Community Center, Flipside Coffee, French and Brawn, Gears and Vinyl, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Maine Children’s Trust, MaineHealth, Massage Therapy, Midcoast Maine Community Action, Midcoast Public Health Council, PenBay YMCA, Penobscot Bay Community Health Partners, Sheila’s Diaper Crafts, Skidompha Public Library, St. George Municipal School Unit, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Thomaston Public Library, Town of Thomaston, Waldoboro Free Clothing Closet and Wiscasset Parks and Recreation.

Healthy Kids serves all families in Lincoln and Knox counties as a resource network for parents, caregivers, professionals and service providers. Its mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect and to promote child safety and family wellbeing through the provision of primary and secondary prevention services and programming. Healthy Kids offers parenting classes, support groups, play groups, activities and programs both in person and via virtual meeting spaces. Healthy Kids’ staff work with parents, grandparents, caregivers, schools, daycares, libraries, local organizations, YMCAs, healthcare providers, police departments, jails and other prevention councils to provide these services and programs. Healthy Kids is a designated member of Maine’s Prevention Council.

Healthy Kids is planning for future Community Baby Showers and other showers are scheduled throughout the state by other members of the Maine Prevention Council. Parenting and professional training classes are also offered regularly by Healthy Kids, as are weekly play groups and support groups.

Follow Healthy Kids online at www.healthykidsmaine.org, visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/healthykidsmaine, or call 563-1818 for more information or to make a donation.