Ocala, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Marion County and its partners at the Healthy Start Coalition of North Central Florida have rescheduled the “World’s Greatest Baby Shower.” 

Postponed by the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, and to better protect participants, the Baby Shower is now a drive-thru event scheduled for 1–3 p.m. on Feb. 26. It will be held at Kingdom Revival Church, 3318 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, adjacent to the Publix in the Forty East Shopping Center. 

The event is free for soon-to-be parents or those with children 12 months old or younger. Fathers are also encouraged to attend. 

Participants will receive goodie bags, can enter a drawing for prizes, and learn more about their community programs and services. 

In addition to the drive-thru session, the Baby Shower’s hosts will invite participants to register for a virtual presentation and educational quiz following the event. 

Participants who register will be provided links to the Zoom event, scheduled for 10 a.m. on March 4. The virtual presentation will feature a live drawing for prizes. 

For more information, contact the Healthy Start program at the Department of Health in Marion County at 352-644-2717. 

The World’s Greatest Baby Shower is co-sponsored by AdventHealth Ocala, the Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, Suncoast Credit Union and many local service organizations. 

Healthy Start is available to pregnant women and women with children up to 3 years old and their families. The program is free to qualified families and provides education about childbirth, breastfeeding, parenting, and other topics. Healthy Start also offers resource information, case management, and care coordination services to improve birth outcomes and decrease infant mortality. Healthy Start staff members visit families in their homes and virtually, providing individualized care. For more information about Healthy Start, contract the Department of Health in Marion County at 352-644-2717, or visit marion.floridahealth.gov.