Actress Melissa Joan Hart Throws 'Baby Shower' For Military Moms At Barclays

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Now expecting her third child, actress Melissa Joan Hart knows about the joys and challenges of being a mother.

Hart, a Long Island native, teamed up with Barclays and Carousel Designs in Bethpage to host an "Operation Shower/Birdies For The Brave" baby shower for 40 very deserving military wives -- moms and mothers-to-be, who are separated from their husbands serving overseas.

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CBS 2's Ann Mercogliano was invited to the celebration.

As the former Sabrina The Teenage Witch star explained, the day of golfing and ladies lunching was to show appreciation for the sacrifices these women make.

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"They don't have [their husbands] to help them off the couch, or run and get them a glass of water -- or even possibly take them to the hospital," Hart said.

Operation Shower Founder LeAnn Morrissey said this is the 12th event hosted by Operation Shower together with the PGA Tour's Birdies For The Brave.

"Operation Shower was created specifically because typically military moms are the ones who hold it all together at home. Without their spouses by their side, deployed to another part of the world, these moms deserve our support, our thanks, our love, and an opportunity to celebrate together," Morrissey said.

One of the military wives at the event was Rose Cykewick. Her daughter, Grace Ann, is just 5 weeks old. Cykewick and her child were getting ready to say goodbye to dad, Daniel, again. He's being deployed this fall.

"He's going to miss our anniversary," Cykewick said. "But thankfully he'll be back for the baby's first Christmas."

But, she said, she's always proud of her husband.

"It's gonna be tough," she said. "But I know it's good that he can do what he does."

Added Hart: "These women, they have husbands, they're just not there. So hopefully they're getting support from family and friends nearby."

As for the former Clarissa Explains It All star, she's about to tell her own story soon. Along with currently starring in Melissa & Joey, she's also writing a book called Melissa Explains It All. It will be out next September.

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