Families preparing to welcome babies in Wake County received practical help and encouragement at the Bundles of Blessings Community Baby Shower in Apex. Hundreds of mothers attended the gathering at Apex Friendship High School, where the support included supplies for newborns and information to help parents prepare for the responsibilities ahead.
Apex First Baptist Church, the Apex First Foundation and the North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness hosted the free shower. Families could receive car seats and diapers, along with educational information and access to parenting classes. The event brought those resources together as part of an effort to support expecting families in the community.
Among those attending were Joshua and Makayla Murrill, who are expecting a daughter in March. The couple said they had been doing everything they could to get ready for her arrival. For them, the shower offered both resources for caring for their baby and encouragement as they prepare to become parents.
Makayla Murrill expressed her enthusiasm about the months ahead. "Oh, I'm excited. I'm excited to be a mom," she said. "I think it's like a blessing." Their preparations for their daughter reflected the purpose of the gathering, which gave families help with the practical and financial challenges of welcoming a baby.
For Frankie McLean, senior pastor of Apex First Baptist Church, the turnout and assistance represented an opportunity for the church to serve the wider community. He said seeing that impact was emotional and described the event as having grown from an idea he attributed to God.
McLean said he wanted families to understand that the church cared about them and was willing to offer support. He emphasized that its service reaches beyond the church building, with work in the community central to what it seeks to do. The shower put that approach into practice through supplies, education and encouragement for parents.
The effort also reflected the church's broader focus on supporting people in matters involving faith, finances and parenting. The shower's fundraising page describes its mission as "Welcoming New Life with Love," a theme reflected in the assistance available to families preparing for their newest additions.
The Murrills said they left with knowledge and resources to help them look after their daughter. Alongside that practical assistance, they described a sense of relief, saying they were "Leaving here with a breath of fresh air."
