Orthodox Christians for Life Launches 6th Annual National Orthodox Baby Shower Drive

Orthodox Christians for Life, a U.S. church-based pro-family network, launched the 6th annual National Orthodox Baby Shower this week, kicking off a coordinated diaper and baby-item drive that runs through April 2026. The organization asked parishes across the country to hold local collections tied to the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25, with items being gathered on the Sundays before and after that date.

The drive pairs participating parishes directly with local Pregnancy Resource Centers, which provide free medical care, material resources, and ongoing support to abortion-vulnerable women facing crisis and unplanned pregnancies. Orthodox Christians for Life describes the effort as a nationally coordinated push inviting parishes "to participate in this national effort to support women in crisis pregnancies and help them choose life for their children."

Past drives illustrate the scale the campaign has reached. A previous year's collection tallied over 17,100 diapers, 337 packages of wipes, more than 500 baby outfits and clothing items, 230 pairs of baby socks and shoes, 130 baby blankets, over 100 toys and books, 138 bottles of baby lotion and shampoo, approximately 600 other items including formula, pacifiers, diaper bags, pack 'n plays, car seats, and maternity outfits, and over $5,000 in monetary gifts. The program grew from eight participating parishes in its first year to more than 30 parishes from various jurisdictions in subsequent years.

Parishes taking part follow a straightforward process: purchase and collect baby items throughout March, deliver donations to their local Pregnancy Resource Center, and share photos of their results by tagging OCLife on social media. Many parishes have also hosted baby shower-themed events to raise awareness of the pro-life cause or invited a representative from their local PRC to speak to parishioners about the center's work.

The Annunciation timing is deliberate. The Diocese of New York and New Jersey, whose contact office is located at 33 Hewitt Avenue in Bronxville, New York, has described the Feast of the Annunciation as "one of the great pro-life feast days of our Church," and OCLife frames the drive as a way for the Orthodox community to "transform a difficult circumstance into a profound blessing for many women."

Parishes interested in registering or learning more can reach Orthodox Christians for Life at info@oclife.org. The diocesan office in Bronxville can be reached at 914-779-6580 or info@nynjoca.org for locally coordinated inquiries within the New York and New Jersey jurisdiction.