Showered with Love: USO Brings Baby Joy to Military Families in Raleigh and Seymour Johnson

For many military families, the journey to parenthood can be filled with unique challenges, especially when living far from loved ones and familiar support systems. That’s why USO North Carolina recently brought joy, connection, and a little bit of home to expecting military spouses through two USO Special Delivery baby shower events; one in the Raleigh-Durham area and the other at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

These events are part of the USO’s Special Delivery program, which first launched in 2013. The program is designed to support military moms-to-be with baby showers that offer more than just gifts, they provide emotional support, a sense of community, and moments of celebration. To date, the program has served more than 50,000 expectant service members and spouses across the globe, both in person and virtually.

In the Raleigh-Durham area, where there are no nearby military bases, USO North Carolina recognized the critical need to reach military families feeling isolated. There, families gathered to enjoy games, food, gifts, and the chance to make new friends who understand the unique realities of military life.

“Very awesome event here! I’m grateful for all the staff and volunteers,” said Qiang An, an Army spouse. “The experience is very entertaining, and I felt welcome by the staff and the team.”

Another Army spouse, who asked not to be named, shared: “It was a really good experience that helped me with social skills and building new friendships.”

At Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, the USO brought the same warmth and care to military families stationed at the installation. Attendees left not only with baby essentials—including diaper bags, cribs, and bedding, but also with big smiles and full hearts.

“This event was very fun and uplifting for new moms and families within the military,” said one Army spouse. “I loved the games and prizes. And was very excited to attend. My favorite was the bib baking.”

Army spouse Lakaysha Al-Uqdah added, “This was an awesome event. I really liked the activities, prizes, and group size.”

Susan Drum, the Center Operations Specialist for USO North Carolina overseeing mission delivery in both the Triangle Area and Seymour Johnson, expressed pride in the program’s impact.

“These baby showers are more than just a celebration,” Drum said. “They’re about making sure our military spouses feel seen, supported, and connected, especially during such a special and sometimes overwhelming chapter of life. Whether they’re stationed near a base or living in a more isolated area like Raleigh-Durham, they deserve to know they’re not alone.”

For Air Force spouse Anna Gerlach, the experience left a lasting impression. “This event was so much fun and I had such a blast! A bag for every mom was a wonderful surprise,” she said. “Honestly, I really loved this event and hope you do a couple or a few each year, I would love to attend another one!”

Through these two USO Special Delivery events, USO North Carolina continues to deliver on its mission of strengthening the wellbeing of America’s service members and their families, no matter where they are or what they’re facing.

For more information about USO North Carolina and upcoming events, visit northcarolina.uso.org.