The West Virginia University at Parkersburg nursing program is partnering with the Riverhawk Food Pantry to host a Dr. Seuss-themed baby shower for Kelly’s Closet on Monday, April 15, from 12:15 to 4 p.m. in room 2539. The event is open to the community.

The baby shower is a celebration of a new arrival on campus – an infant simulator named Blake – which was recently gifted to the college’s nursing program by the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation. Blake is a high-fidelity wireless simulator that offers students realistic hands-on patient care experience through true-to-life physical and physiological attributes essential for effective neonatal care simulation training.

During the event, students, faculty and staff in the nursing program will be collecting monetary donations and other much-needed items for Kelly’s Closet. The local nonprofit organization provides clothing, shoes and backpacks for children in foster or kinship care in the Mid-Ohio Valley from newborn to 18 years of age.

Guests will also enjoy refreshments and tours of the college’s newly renovated state-of-the-art nursing simulation labs, as well as the opportunity to see WVU Parkersburg nursing students actively participating in simulations throughout the event.

“The infant simulator has been a tremendous asset in preparing our students in the Associate Degree in Nursing program to be the best providers across the life span to our community,” said Stephanie Smith-Stout, assistant professor of nursing and simulation coordinator, WVU Parkersburg. “We are hosting this baby shower, in collaboration with our very own Riverhawk Food Pantry, to show our appreciation for this gift and to pass along the blessing to children and families in need in our community.”

Kelly’s Closet is currently in need of the following items:

• Diapers of any size
• Underwear (sizes 2T – adult XL)
• Socks (crew or footie) for children and adults
• Leggings, capris and shorts (female, sizes newborn – adult XL)
• Sweats, athletic pants and shorts (male, sizes newborn – adult XL)
• Bras (training bras – sports bras, all sizes)
• Pajamas (male and female, newborn – adult XL)
• Athletic shoes and sneakers (sizes 2 youth – 9 adult, especially larger sizes for teens)

For more information, please contact Stephanie Smith-Stout at 304-424-8608 or ude.puvw@tuotss.