Offering baskets of love: NAACP outreach shows appreciation to moms and mom stand-ins

MOMS dealing with Pampers and goodness-knows-what amid a myriad of responsibilities and work these days need pampering. That’s the conclusion of the Women in NAACP Committee in its second year of an outreach of kindness called Mother’s Day Gift Baskets for moms and other similar nurturers.

They believe that candy can be even sweeter and luxurious body butters even more soothing when nestled into bags and baskets of love and presented the weekend of Mother’s Day.

“It was a form of recognition of what so many women were going through,” said Stephanie Carmer, who launched the idea of the gifts representing about $75 in merchandise for those nominated by family, friends or community leaders. “I saw that there were so many things on their plate as they were taking on so many things at once.

“Some were trying to help teach classes (for online schooling) and still worry about income and make a note of emergency this and help with that. As a (former) single mom, I had once been on that knife’s edge trying to manage everything all at one time.

“So this is just stuff meant to make them feel special and a little revived.”

And does it ever.

Carmer mentioned that, last year, a few of the recipients cried when they discovered who in the community nominated them for their bag or basket of freebies and why they were selected.

“It was a tear-fest,” Carmer said. “They were overwhelmed that someone took the time to acknowledge them.”

The latest baskets presented Saturday at the America and Roby Anderson Community Center include a Mother’s Day card with original art by local artist Shama Padalkar. Plus, an original art print from donating artist Nadia Lomax is included, along with knitter Sharon Krieg hand-made throws. Plus, a $25 gift card is part of the collection.

The NAACP and local donations cover the cost of the basket items that are purchased.

“Hopefully, with more awareness and recognition, this can be a more self-sustaining project that we can do,” Carmer said. “It just very much feels like the right thing to do to acknowledge moms and mom stand-ins. And that second term is important because not every mom figure in the community is necessarily a literal, biological mom.”

The project helps publicly show a different side of the multifaceted Columbus/Bartholomew County Area Chapter of the NAACP. Local NAACP President Pastor Johnnie Edwards mentioned that the program is a sign that the organization “is constantly striving to create inclusion in our community.

“These Mother’s Day Gift Baskets exemplify our organization’s recognition of all mothers within this community. Each day, committees such as the Women In NAACP … are working to be proactive and not just reactive to the positive things happening here in Columbus, Indiana. The NAACP Columbus Branch is more than just an organization that fights for the justice of all individuals.

“We also are an organization that is driven to show appreciation to all. This gesture is just one of the many examples.”

Tracy Heaton de Martinez was among recipients last year, and was touched by the entire idea.

“I was surprised and delighted by the basket,” she said. “Totally unexpected.

“The NAACP made me feel special and treasured. The basket was filled with lovely treats — indulgences that I typically won’t buy for myself. It’s a sweet gift for the community.”

Carmer said she is acutely “aware how much it all takes” to be a good mother. “I started off wanting it to be a brunch, but COVID kind of squashed that,” she said.

She added that she would love to see the project grow and reach more women.

“We all can benefit from the help of a village,” Carmer said. “And we just want these moms and mom-stand-ins to clearly know ‘Hey — we see you.’”