Islanders Throw Baby Shower for Military Moms at UBS Arena

The New York Islanders teamed up with Operation Shower and Ryan LLC on Wednesday to throw 25 military moms a baby shower filled with gifts, food, fun, and games.
This marked the second-straight year the Isles had thrown a baby shower for military moms. Last year's shower was held as a drive-thru pickup due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but this year the team hosted the moms and their families in-person at UBS Arena.

The UBS Club was decorated beautifully with flower centerpieces on dining tables and Islanders-themed baby merchandise such as Isles baby onesies. Members of the Islanders staff, Operation Shower, and Ryan LLC all volunteered their time to help make the mothers feel appreciated and supported.
"I think the stress of the financial burden is huge, but I also think they don't get recognized as the family member who might be staying behind during deployment or who's holding it all together," said LeAnn Morrissey, Chief Shower Officer for Operation Shower.
The mothers received various gifts such as strollers, baby carriers, Delta pack and plays, and Operation Shower's specialty, the 'shower in a box,' a full baby shower for every mom packaged into one handy box. "The gifts ensure that each mother's needs are being taken care of," said Morrissey.
Operation Shower started their mission in 2007, and they've expanded tremendously since then. They have provided over 7,000 military moms across the nation with a baby shower. They also work to connect moms who are new to the community through social media, and through group baby showers like the one held on Wednesday. This is the second event Operation Shower has thrown on Long Island, thanks in part to the Islanders remaining supportive, and due to the positive reactions after last year's drive-thru shower.

"Some of the women themselves of course, are active duty and they're not often recognized for that service. I think they leave knowing that they're recognized and hopefully they can remember that," said Morrissey.
Shantel Bell, a military mom who has been in the Navy for eight years and stationed in Japan for three of them, explained how appreciative she was to receive gifts for her two-month-old daughter.
"It's an honor to be a part of this and to be celebrated as a military member," she said.
Another military mom, Medina Thompson, spoke on her experience as a woman in the military. "It's nice to know that people care about us. It means a lot to be here because a lot of female military members are overlooked, but we're appreciated here."
Thompson serves in the Marine Corps, the branch with the least serving women. Being with other female military members today made her feel seen.
MSG Networks host and reporter Shannon Hogan was the emcee of the event. She hosted baby trivia, baby bingo, a raffle, and a name-that-song game which brought the house down. Winners of each game won prizes such as Target gift cards, but every mom went home with the essential gifts provided by Operation Shower. Hogan played a major role on Wednesday, not only for her incredible bingo announcing skills, but also because of her kind and relatable nature. Hogan has a three-year old daughter at home.
"Yes, it goes by fast, yes, you will get to sleep again. That's all you need to know if you're a first-time mom," Hogan said with a chuckle.

Ryan LLC was a partner in the event and had reps on-site volunteering at the shower. Ryan LLC is the largest firm in the world dedicated exclusively to business taxes. Despite their global popularity, getting out into the Long Island community was important to them.
"I'm happy to work for a company like Ryan that allows us to do these types of events. We tend to do several every year in all of the offices all over the globe so it's a blessing to work for a company like this," said Ryan employee Keysha Bobbitte.
Military dads were welcome to attend the shower as well.
"It's a pleasure to be here and we're really just excited that people are going out of their way to put things on like this for military families. We really appreciate everything the New York Islanders, Operation Shower, and Ryan Tax are doing," said Garrett Gray. Gray is husband to expecting mom Kaylee Gray who also attended the shower on Wednesday. The Gray's live in New Jersey, but Garrett is in the Air Force and was stationed in Dover, Delaware during most of the pandemic. Despite their being from New Jersey, the couple said they'll be raising their child as an Islanders fan.
Sending home 25 military moms with a bundle of gifts felt like a job well-done to LeAnn Morrissey.
"These moms deserve our support, our appreciation, and an opportunity to celebrate this wonderful milestone together," Morrissey said.