Ocala, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Marion County (DOH-Marion) invites new parents or soon-to-be parents to attend the annual “World’s Greatest Baby Shower” on Friday, January 26, 2024.

Healthy Start of Marion County and Safe Kids of Marion County join DOH-Marion in hosting the Baby Shower, which will be held at:

Mary Sue Rich Community Center

1821 NW 21^st St.

Ocala, FL 34475

Those interested may choose to attend one of two sessions that day, from 2-4 p.m. or 5-7 p.m. This event is free. No pre-registration is necessary.

This event is intended for parents who are expecting a child or who have children 12 months old or younger. Each family will receive a goody bag filled with educational and community-resource information. Families can win prizes such as cribs, umbrella strollers, baby bathtubs, toys, clothing, car seats, playmats, and more.

Other community partners who help make this event possible include the Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, Heart of Florida Health Center, Loving Arms Birth & Wellness Center, Healthy Families of Lake, Sumter, and Marion, and Humana Health Horizons.

About Healthy Start

The Healthy Start program 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 provide individualized care by visiting families in their homes or virtually.

For more information about the Healthy Start program, contact DOH-Marion at 352-644-2717, or visit marion.floridahealth.gov.

About the Florida Department of Health

The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on X at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit FloridaHealth.gov.