Military moms and mothers-to-be gifted with brand-new cribs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. (WPVI) -- To say that they held a baby shower Wednesday doesn't quite tell the story - not by a long shot.

With the precision of a military operation, volunteers at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst were hustling heavy boxes containing brand-new baby cribs.

The cribs are a free gift to 66 new moms or mothers-to-be at an event called the "Star-Spangled Babies Shower."

"Cribs are probably the most expensive purchase you have to make for a baby, and being able to get one given to you and you don't have to pay for it is just amazing and takes a huge relief off of you," said Capt. Danielle Barrett, U. S. Army Reservist.

Amber Lacey and her husband Jeremy are the proud parents of one-month-old Anastasia Grace.

"You never really understand the price of how much it is to have a child, and child care and everything that adds up with it," said Amber.

"A baby - they're not cheap. A lot of this stuff nowadays is really expensive and I think something like this really helps out," said U. S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Lacey.

The shower also offered goodie bags to the military moms and was sponsored by the nonprofit Operation Homefront.

"With a new addition in the family it can add a little bit of extra stress and this is one way to sort of alleviate that burden," said Peter Stinson of Operation Homefront.

The cribs were donated by Delta Children's Products, which has given away over $3 million in merchandise to needy families.

"These families need my help and I happen to be lucky enough to be able to help them," said Delta Children President Joe Shamie.

Because of deployments and relocation many of these moms and mothers-to-be are far away from family and their support systems. That means things like baby showers don't always happen.

"Being military and traveling a lot, husbands being away, things get pushed back or financially, you know, you struggle. So, to be able to get a crib is really great," said military wife Amanda Ammerman.

"It's kind of lonely here by myself so it's nice to be here with everybody and feel the love and the family vibe," said U.S. Army Spc. Shaquera Murchison.

It's also reassuring to know their infants will have a safe new crib to sleep in.

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