Pregnancy desire is a real thing.
Maraya Antetokunmpo? Turning back.
“I think she was always a part of who I am,” she told the Journal Sentinel in a recent phone interview. “I find a joy of helping others and lifting others.”
In 2021, Maraya and her husband, Bucks Superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, put diapers with the mission of diapers in Milwaukee to celebrate the birth of their second son Maverik. Since then, it has become an annual event called Big Give Back, which Maraya also helped to organize when baby # 3, Eve, was on the way.
“I get wild ideas, I guess when I’m pregnant and decide to get things,” Maraya said.
Her fourth pregnancy will be no exception. Then she came up with the idea of throwing a baby shower into the community.
The Charles Family Foundation Antetokunmpo has partnered with the children’s community for influence and grandmothers to revive the April showers of love, motherhood, baby and little driving. Gently used and new items are collected at Dropoff places in the Milwauki area until April 30.
With the support of the community, the organizers strive to help 75 local families who expect or raise and need.
“Milwaukee has done so much for our family,” Maraya said, adding that it was there that Janice grew up from the age of 18 and where they both raise their own family.
“We can’t be everywhere and we can’t help everyone, but we can start somewhere,” she said. “So what better in a place than a place, which means so much to us and a community, which means so much to us.”
The culmination of the Donation Drive will be a family day of Kaf, a private event with food and entertainment, during which the families of the recipients will be showered with donated items. The first day of the Caff family was held in Athens last summer at the gym where the Antetokounmpo brothers played for basketball.
“A village is needed to raise a child. I really believe it,” Maraya said.
Showing the recipient families that they have a community that supports them while embarking on this new adventure is the most important thing, she said.
“Bringing a child to the world is a lot for anyone, so to make sure that they have some of these basic needs, it is also really important to take away some of the stress from families,” she said.
If there are additional donated driving products, partner organizations will distribute them to additional local families in need.
How can you support the “April showers of love”
These are the objects that the donation of donation seeks:
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Baby clothes (newborn to 5T)
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Diapers (open or new packages)
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Formula (unopened and good for the next three months)
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Breastfeeding pillows (Bopi, etc.)
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Health and Hygiene Baby Products (Unopened)
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Toys (suitable for ages newborns up to 5 years of age)
Most can be used lightly unless otherwise noted, but it must also be washed in a state of dignity. If you are looking to shop new, there is a list of Amazon wishes with the necessary items.
These are items that are not taken for this donation: car chairs, cribs, furniture, jumpers, swings, walkers and breast pumps.
Where to miss donations
Those who are interested in donating items to the device can register here.
In and around Milwaukee
Milwaukee:
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Main stages, 3131 N. Summit Ave.
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Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, the 330 E. Kilbourn building.
Shorwood:
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Little Sprouts Play Cafe, 4606 N. Wilson Drive, Shorewood (dropping out from 9am to 2pm from Monday to Friday and from 9am to noon Saturday).
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American Family Insurance, 4484 N. Oakland Ave. (dropping from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm from Monday to Friday).
Miluoki
Brookfield: Nugget Nation, 12501 W. Bluemound Road (dropping from 9am to 3pm Monday; 10:00 to 15:00 and 16:30 to 6:30 pm Tuesday; 9:00 until noon Wednesday;
Elm Grove: Bug and Goose Play Cafe, 13448 Watertown Plank Road (Drop off from 9 to 10:30 am, 11 AM to 12:30 pm and 3:30 to 5 pm monday; Wednesday;
South of Milwaukee
St. Francis: Taxi and tide Imaginary play space, 4016 S. Packard Ave. (dropping from 9:30 am to 18:00 Saturday. There is a door bin. The time to drop the day-to-day days vary. Call 262-902-6402 or send email to hello@taxiandTide.com).
Ouki County
Mequon: The Play Retreat, 1406 W. Mequon Road, Mequon (check the Website for dropping times).
Grafton: The Spot Family Play Studio, 1752 Wisconsin Ave. (dropping from 9am to 1pm Tuesday to Saturday).
Note: There are additional places to drop the area in the homes of Lides Impact children. Specific addresses are sent by email after registration.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mariah Antetokoumpo Leading Driving for the Community Community in Milwaukee