The Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor has teamed with Operation Homefront Maine to provide comfort and support to a young mother whose husband is deployed to the Middle East. Paula and her husband have a nine-month-old son and they are expecting a second baby in a few months.

It's tough enough that their baby girl is scheduled to be born with her father in harm's way and far from home, but the situation is complicated by several factors: It's a high-risk pregnancy, and Paula's sister - and her mainstay for family support - is herself seriously ill. And, Paula and her growing family need everything!

The church family is helping out by giving Paula a surprise baby shower. It will be held Sunday, September 2 at noon in the Fellowship Hall of the Congregational Church. Everyone in the community is invited to participate.

You can make a difference by providing one of the myriad things young families need - or a gift card for groceries or baby supplies. Stop by the church office and choose a card from our "registry" (so that Paula doesn't end up with 13 baby sweaters, for example!) and after you go shopping, drop off your gift at the church at any time. You may also help by signing up at the church office to bring finger sandwiches or dessert bars for the shower itself. You need not be present at the shower to participate in this fun and life-affirming activity.

For more information about the shower, contact Genie O'Connell (633-2942) or Marty Helman (633-6336).

Operation Homefront Maine is a volunteer organization that provides emergency support and morale to our troops, the families they leave behind during deployment, and wounded warriors when they return home. For more information about this organization and how you can help other families whose wage earners are deployed overseas, check out their Web site: www.operationhomefront.net/maine.