The "Love Ceres" event original set for Saturday, April 23 has been cancelled, however the Ceres Partnership will still be hosting the Community Baby Shower.

Love Ceres has partnered with Center for Human Services-Ceres Partnership to host the 3rd annual Community Baby Shower at Ceres Partnership on April 23 from 8:30-12:30, despite the rest of Love Ceres being cancelled. They need the help of community members to make this event possible. This help can come in the form of volunteering your time on the day of the event or making a donation.

On the day of the event, volunteers are needed for set-up, clean-up and childcare activities. Donations of bottled water, yogurt and granola, fresh fruit and pastries are also needed for the day of the event. You can also donate the following new baby items before the day of the event: diapers, wipes, bottles/pacifiers, baby clothes, play mats, bath items, blankets, baby gear, towels/washcloths, scrap books and bath items for moms.

The public may take baby item donations to the Ceres Community Center, Ceres Partnership or Alfonso's Mexican Restaurant in downtown Ceres.

For more information or to sign up, e-mail Jennifer Rangel at jrangel@centerforhumanservices.org or call the Ceres Partnership office at 541-0101.

Becki Barton Nicholes, the "Love Ceres" organizer, explained that the event had to be cancelled because there were date conflicts with many leadership team members. One of those is city code enforcement employee Frank Alvarez, who is recovering from an automobile accident.

The event was born out of a Love Modesto event under the leadership of Big Valley Grace Community Church. Years ago the Nicholes, who attend that church, decided to bring the event to Ceres.

"We are hoping to reorganize and hope that a local church will come alongside of us who can help take part of the leadership role as it's hard to organize this with Big Valley being so far in Modesto. We thought we'd take this time off and look for a date in the future."