Military Mom Finds Supportive Community at Baltimore Baby Shower
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Tina Baiza thought her baby days were behind her. The 40-year-old single mom had her children while in college in her 20s. The oldest of her three children is 16.
After experiencing symptoms that she thought was perimenopause, she went to the doctor and learned she was pregnant.
“I was not prepared to hear that,” said Tina, whose baby is due in July. “I haven’t changed a diaper in over a decade.”
Now on her own, Tina was worried about budgeting and finding support. She recalled that when her kids were younger, she went to Operation Homefront’s Back-to-School Brigade® events. She still visited the organization’s Facebook page. That was how she found the Star-Spangled Babies® program, dedicated to supporting service members and their growing families.
Operation Homefront, alongside our dedicated partner CSX, hosted a March event at a historic train station in Baltimore, Maryland. CSX employees volunteered their time to pack baby care caddies at their headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida.
“I’m just so grateful that they took the time to do this for us. The donations were greatly appreciated. You could see it on everyone’s face. Everyone was glowing.” – Tina Baiza, Air Force Reserve
Tina was impressed, not only by the beauty of the train station — a unique aspect she loved — but also by the generosity. She and other expectant parents received essential baby supplies, including portable play yards provided by Delta Children.
The collective effort of the event aims to ease the journey for service members as they welcome the newest additions to their families.
Tina has been a service member for 13 years.
“I had a whole life before the military,” she said.
She was a teacher in special education, but the Air Force offered more stability during the recession when she enlisted. Tina also comes from a military family with her dad, sister, and brother all serving. Her sister is also in the Air Force. Tina started as active duty and is now active-duty Reserve, assigned to Fort Meade.
Her baby is due in July. Tina was worried about the age difference between her and the other moms she might meet.
“I was feeling pretty old and saw some other mothers my age, so I didn’t feel too bad,” she joked.
The day made her feel less alone and isolated.
“I want donors to know just how important the event is for someone who doesn’t have a family,” she said. “They create a new community for new moms and existing moms. They contribute to that bond for those of us who do sacrifice for the country, whether military moms, active duty, or veterans. They are able to bring everyone together.”
Operation Homefront’s Star-Spangled Babies program has provided vital baby supplies to over 21,000 military moms since 2008.
“I’m just so grateful that they took the time to do this for us,” Tina said. “The donations were greatly appreciated. It helps take off a lot of the burden. You could see it on everyone’s face. Everyone was glowing.”
