It’s the best kind of ambush imaginable.
The New York Islanders are co-hosting a touching group baby shower for more than two dozen expecting military moms, although they have to keep the location secret because of ongoing concerns over US Armed Forces.
The hockey team is teaming up with the organization “Operation Shower” to bring over-the-top kindness, goodwill and gifts to the moms-to-be Wednesday afternoon.
While the expectant recipients know there is some kind of event for them, they are unaware of its scope of generosity, event organizers said.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Colleen Ryan, a Bellmore mother who volunteers with the annual local event, told The Post.
As to what generous gifts the moms will be showered with, that remains a covert op.
“I think your jaw will hit the floor,” Ryan said.
“It’s not an exaggeration, prepare for your mouth and hit the floor.”
MSG Network reporter Shannon Hogan and player wives will join the expecting moms, who are either in the military themselves or have partners serving at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. Also present will be more military members, including from the New York National Guard and the US Coast Guard.
The site of the event is being kept private, as it has been in years past, because it’s military-related.
Ryan is a diehard Isles fan who was inspired to work the event after being overwhelmingly showered by the team while her Coast Guard husband was deployed a few years ago.
“It is the most beautiful shower in the United States,” she said.
The mom of four added that “Operation Shower” — which has helped more than 10,000 families across the States — does more than just gift special items to families.
It also provides a profound sense of community to those who have had to relocate for assignment.
“They’re stationed in the area, but they don’t have family necessarily in the area,” Ryan said.
She added that most of the moms don’t get to have typical showers with loved ones.
“I think it’s definitely patriotic. It lets them know that their country and their sports teams really, really do support them wholeheartedly,” she said.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
