Navy Spouse Finds Support at Baby Shower
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Mason Wiseman and his wife, Allison, are both from Zanesville, Ohio, and miss their families after embarking on the adventure of being a military family.
Mason enlisted eight years ago to help build a stable life.
The couple was stationed around the country and have been in Virginia for the past five years. They have an 8-month-old son and another on the way by the end of the year.
With family out of the state and not wanting to drive while in her final trimester, Allison turned to Operation Homefront’s Star-Spangled Babies® Shower in Virginia Beach, Virginia, to provide support and a fun activity she could do for herself.
Allison had signed up for a baby shower for her first son, but it was during 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic caused cancellations across the country. When she saw a Facebook mention for the event this fall, she was sure to sign up.
“It’s nice to know that there are people out there who care about us as military families and want to help provide for us.” – Allison Wiseman, Navy spouse
Allison was one of 50 moms who registered for the event, which was possible thanks to generous sponsors Armada Hoffler, The Westin Virginia Beach Town Center, Tactical Baby Gear, Infantino, Motif Medical, Astro Event Company, and local quilters, along with Operation Homefront staff and its legion of volunteers.
The gifts included a Tactical Baby Gear diaper bag backpack, diapers, a play mobile, quilted items, and other baby essentials. Representatives from local resources available to military families supplied moms with information.
“The environment was great,” Allison said. “The speakers, the vendors that were there, all of that was wonderful.”
Allison said she is grateful to donors who consider the entire family unit and the sacrifices spouses and children also make.
“It’s nice to know that there are people out there who care about us as military families and want to help provide for us,” she said.
