WHEELING — Expectant mothers are invited to come receive gifts and information about local social service agencies as the Salvation Army in Wheeling hosts its third annual “baby shower” for new families.

The event is set to take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 26 at the Salvation Army Church, 3333 Eoff St. in South Wheeling.

Lt. Candy Lawrence of the Salvation Army reports at least 19 agencies will be present.

“We will have multiple agencies available that will benefit the new parents, as well as the children they currently have,” she said. “We will also have items to give away.

“It will be a good opportunity for new parents to come and find information they didn’t realize they needed beforehand.”

Expectant mothers may register up until the day of the event.

Donations also will be accepted until the day of the baby shower, but items brought in on that day must be taken directly to the event at the Eoff Street church location.

“I have no stipulations other than knowing that you need something, and we can be there to provide as much as we can,” Lawrence said.

Expectant parents will receive a registration bag when they arrive, and they will be directed to the tables set up by each participating agency to receive a ticket.

After visiting the agencies, parents can use the tickets they received to “buy” items from the donation table.

The same tickets then will be gathered for a raffle, during which parents may win such baby gear as high chairs, cribs, car seats, diapers and wipes.

Those interested in attending may pre-register by calling the Salvation Army office at 304-233-4400.

Donations for the event also may be brought to the office, located at 140 16th St. in East Wheeling.

“If anyone would like to donate diapers, wipes, anything — that would be wonderful,” Lawrence said.

Lawrence and her husband, Lt. John Lawrence, will be going shopping next week to purchase baby items for the event with any money donated.

Among the agencies expected to be present are local head start programs, the Gabriel Project, NAMI, Unicare, the Family Resource Networks in both Ohio and Marshall counties, the Wetzel Center For Children and Families; The Health Plan; AETNA; Right From the Start; Mom’s Rising; Park Valley Behavioral Health Center, and Women Infants and Children (WIC) representatives.

Last year, between 30 to 40 expectant mothers attended the baby shower, according to Lawrence.