Dylan Sloan Photo
Shower power: Russell & co. at the drive-through shower.
The Covid-19 pandemic forced Angela Russell to cancel a family celebration she’d been planning. So she came up with an alternative — a communal drive-through baby shower.
She organized it last week in Newhallville. And she pulled it off. Russell and over a dozen family members and friends distributed baby supplies to 45 mothers-to-be — an event that she hopes will be the “first of many.”
The event took place this past Monday morning at Poetic Haven, an event and performance space on Shelton Avenue run by her friend Rebekah Blake.
It was Russell’s birthday. She had originally planned to throw a three-part celebration: For the birthday, for her daughter Brianna Rigsbee’s recent graduation with an English degree from Southern Connecticut State University, and her husband Keith Russell’s retirement after 25 years working for the state corrections department.
When Russell realized that hosting a large birthday gathering wasn’t going to be feasible, she got to work on the alternative plan. A mother herself, she decided that she would like to spend her birthday distributing baby supplies for mothers expecting children soon after.
“My response was, ‘Covid what?’” said Russell. “We’re going to kick you in the butt!”
Russell (pictured) put together a Facebook event asking mothers-to-be to sign up. Forty-five expectant mothers signed up to participate.
“It’s been really inspiring,” said Russell, a former city alder. “I used to do community work in another life, and now this is another form of it.”
With upbeat music playing in the background, Russell, dressed in all white and sporting a mask emblazoned with the phrase “SPREADING LOVE NOT HATE,” and her friends and family finalized the setup before the first mothers showed up.
Rebekah Blake, meanwhile, transformed Poetic Haven into party central. The walls were lined with the baby “kits,” each of which included a grooming set, bath set, bottle, baby brush, bibs, onesie, and a washcloth, neatly organized in a backpack.
“Just a minute ago, a lady across the street asked me if it was too late to donate,” said Russell. “The community response has been great.”
Shaterra Chatman (pictured), expecting twins in two weeks, was the first mother-to-be to enter the room. “I’m Angela, and today’s my birthday,” Russell introduced herself. “I’m here to shower you with love!”
Chatman walked out the front door a few minutes later with two matching backpacks, a box of wings, a cake pop, a water bottle, and a smile on her face.
“This means a lot to me,” said Chatman, who lives in Newhallville. “Especially with the pandemic. I’m a school bus driver, so I’ve been out of work all year. It’s really hard to get support from family because nobody wants to come and help in person. This is a huge help.”
Russell sent each mother off with a box of wings from Woody’s Wings in Westville, which donated the food for the event. “Go visit,” said two of Russell’s cousins who introduced themselves as “T&T.” “They’ve got, like, 25 flavors. It’s like Baskin-Robbins!”
Beverley Manuel was next. She picked up a kit for her pastor, who was on bed rest because she was expecting in the next few days. A few of the 45 mothers sent friends to pick up the supplies for them; Russell planned to drive around door-to-door and drop off kits for the remaining mothers who were on bed rest.
“It’s a wonderful thing,” said Manuel. “There are so many people in need out here. It’s wonderful that they’re able to do this.”
Expectant mothers were given 10-minute time slots to minimize Covid exposure. Russell’s family came down with the virus in early April after her husband caught it at work. She and her sons had mild cases. Her two daughters escaped infection. Her husband Keith, who had brain surgery in 2016, was admitted to the ICU for three days. He recovered quickly and was able to return home within a week.
“We have God to thank for that,” said Russell.
The next visitor, Sharaetae Adkins (pictured), found out about the event from a friend, who forwarded her the Facebook invite. She decided to forego hosting her own baby shower because of Covid.
“The supplies will definitely help,” said Adkins. “I’m leaving work soon, but it’ll be over a month until I qualify for unemployment. Even my family members haven’t been able to come and help out too much. This is so helpful.”
“I’m planning a clothing drive in February too now,” Russell concluded.” I’m inspired by this to go on.”
Thank you to Ms Russel and other contributors for this inspiring and generous event. In a time when having a baby should be a joyful occasion, instead many parents to be are fearful and stressed economically and isolated socially. This socially distanced celebration of new babies and mothers to be is a wonderful way to lift people's spirits up. Maybe the next event could include the local diaper banks to contribute to the giveaway? So many people are struggling to afford diapers and find diaper wipes and diaper rash creme, and as every parent knows these items are absolutely the most essential and expensive items. Also, with so many winter clothes being discounted from retailers, maybe stores could donate winter outerwear and blankets for infants and toddlers to help? It doesn't hurt to ask these businesses to donate as a tax write off those items that will be marked down and will be discarded soon anyway.