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Mothers 'Share' During Mass Baby Shower

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By SUZANNE M. SCHMIDT

IN THE LOOP

Published: March 11, 2009

In order to make the world a better place, one local group is focusing its efforts on the people its members think can make the most difference - mothers.

Melissa Dean, organizer of the 10th annual MOPS Baby Share, said she and her team of 50 moms worked throughout the year to make the event a success. The March 3 function, held at Victorious Life Church in Wesley Chapel, helped more than 160 mothers obtain much-needed baby items.

"I am doing this because I believe better moms make a better world," Dean said. "All 50 moms on my team were so ready to just jump in and help out. You can tell it is their passion to change the lives of these women and to give them hope. I am hoping when those women look at me, they will not see me; I am hoping they will see Jesus and feel His love."

The MOPS, which stands for Mothers of Preschoolers, is a nonprofit support organization for mothers with small children. The Victorious Life Church group is open to women in the Wesley Chapel area. Baby Share is the group's biggest event. It was created to give expecting and new mothers access to the items and support they need. The event is designed as a giant baby shower of sorts, complete with lunch and a motivational speaker.

The number of mothers helped and amount of donations received this year were the highest ever, Dean said. The very first Baby Share served 15 mothers. Last year's gathering included 96 mothers in need of assistance. Donations in 2008 included some 368 large items, such as cribs and strollers. This year that number rose to 618.

Toni Barsness, the assistant to the children's and women's ministry at the church, was the original organizer 10 years ago. She said she is amazed how the event has grown.

"We started with one pregnancy center and we were able to pick them up with the church bus," Barsness said. "It shows that God is bigger then anything we could do. This is so much bigger and better then I could have ever imagined."

In addition to record donations, about 160 people volunteered to help watch children, show mothers around and do anything else that was needed. Diana Novo of Wesley Chapel said since she was helped so much by the MOPS group last year, she felt blessed to be able to give back to the event this year.

"Last year, when I was pregnant with twins, I felt overwhelmed since I had four children already," Novo said. "They just kept telling me I will never be alone and that if I needed anything He is there for me. I wanted to be here today and sponsor a table because I wanted to pass that knowledge on to other new moms."

Renee Riesgo, a Tampa resident who is 11 weeks pregnant, sat at Novo's table. She said she is happy she came to the event and not just because she was able to pick up the baby items she needed.

"I can't believe how many moms there are," Riesgo said. "It is amazing how nice the MOPS group is. The speaker was very moving. She made me feel like everybody goes through the same things."

The MOPS group at Victorious Life Church, 6224 Old Pasco Road, Wesley Chapel, will meet at the church at 9:30 a.m. to noon April 14 and May 12. For information, visit victoriouslifechurch.com or call (813) 973-2230.

Reporter Suzanne M. Schmidt can be reached at (813) 948-4288 or sschmidt@mediageneral.com.

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