Moms support Project Cuddle

Local mothers and their children gathered for a holiday party Thursday in Newport Beach that benefited babies who might otherwise end up in Dumpsters.

Two local Moms Offering Moms Support (MOMS) clubs joined up to hold a boutique and fun morning for local children to raise money for Project Cuddle, a local organization whose goal is to help save babies from abandonment.

The day, put together by the Newport Coast and Newport Beach clubs, featured visits with Santa; boutique shopping with moms who run a home-based business; and a bounce house, crafts and activities for the kids.

Corona del Mar firefighters stopped by to pick up donations for Toys for Tots, and also distributed shiny red plastic helmets to the kids in attendance.

Donations for some activities benefited Project Cuddle, as did sales of items like kitchen gadgets and children’s pajamas.

Parents and kids alike also enjoyed a bake sale and professional face painting.

Two-dollar donations to make glittery handmade ornaments will be used to help buy a Christmas tree for a Laguna Beach women’s shelter.

Mary Castro, the event chairwoman, said that mothers develop a deep bond with other moms, which made Project Cuddle a natural fit as beneficiary for the club, which offers support and friendship to stay-at-home moms.

“This is our first big community-based event that we’ve ever had,” said Project Cuddle Founder and Chief Executive (and Newport Beach native) Debbe Magnusen. “It’s nice to have my home area support me and our efforts. It’s a great turnout today.”

When Magnusen received a call from the MOMS Club about the event, she jumped at the chance to participate, she said.

“I’m just so pleased to see so many moms with their babies, and they’re excited to be here to help us,” Magnusen said.

She founded the organization in 1996 to help women find safe and legal alternatives to abandoning infants.

Since its inception, Project Cuddle has grown to provide shelter, health care, counseling and support for mothers with secret pregnancies who consider abandoning their babies.

Volunteers also staff a 24-hour crisis hotline that receives between five and 20 calls a day from mothers across the country and in Canada.

More than 660 babies have been saved through Project Cuddle’s efforts; in October, the organization rescued a baby whose mother was 13 years old.

The Costa Mesa girl hid her pregnancy for 35 weeks, and finally called the hotline a few days before giving birth. Her healthy, 7-pound girl was born in Orange, with the help of a Project Cuddle volunteer, organizers said. The organizations continues to monitor both baby and mother.

“We want a girl who started in a tragic situation to walk away with her head held high, proud of the decisions she made,” Magnusen said.

Volunteer and donation opportunities are available, and include showing videos in schools, working with scared mothers or working the hotline; financial donations also are accepted.

For more information, call (714) 432-9681 or visit projectcuddle.org.