NYPD community baby showers returns to the boroughs
The YMCA in Melrose is set to host the event on Thursday, Oct. 17.
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Detective Fred Washington and the NYPD Community Affairs Department have partnered to host community baby showers across the five boroughs.
The YMCA in Melrose is set to host the event on Thursday, Oct. 17.
News 12 sat down with Detective Washington ahead of the event to discuss the impact the baby showers have made on the community.
According to Mark Stewart, the NYPD Deputy commissioner of Community Affairs, the city-wide events partnered with over 100 vendors and city agencies to collect donations and provide resources to mothers in need.
Organizers said they receive donations of diapers, formula, cribs, bassinets, prenatal products and more to provide expecting and new mothers.
Officials confirmed over 40,000 families have been positively impacted.
Detective Washington said the inspiration to host these baby showers came from a phone call with a friend. The idea spearheaded in the Bronx turned into a tour among the boroughs.
"My idea is, if it works in one borough, bring it to all of them," said Commissioner Stewart, who said he greenlighted the idea.
"The first shower in the Bronx started with 54 women, then 100, then 400," said Detective Washington, "The last baby shower had 5,961 citywide."
Detective Washington, a Bronx native and father of two, said the events just get bigger and better.
He had this advice for any struggling families thinking of attending his baby showers, "Just come down here and we'll take care of you... we're the NYPD, we take care of everyone."
