Kari Lyons and Robin Giss, friends of John and Tasha Riddle, were surprised at the willingness of Bay Area businesses to help the Riddle family prepare for four-times the trouble when their four babies arrive in June.

Businesses donated a variety of practical furniture and baby equipment to the Riddle family;

€ Ken Ware Chevrolet, Guy Hawthorne of Coos Bay Toyota and Bob Manning of Coos Bay Nissan donated four car seats;

€ Judy Gilbert of Honda World donated a crib;

€ Coos Bay Wal-Mart donated four Graco Pack-n-Plays;

€ Engles Furniture donated a swivel rocking chair;

€ B-N-T promotional products donated free monogramming;

€ Fletchers, of Eugene, donated $200 in store credit, which when added to donations from friends, provided a changing table and a second swivel rocking chair.

Bowling for Babies, a fund-raiser for the Riddle family sponsored by North Bend Lanes, will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., May 19, and 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., May 20, with 50 percent of the proceeds going to the family. To reserve a lane or those interested in more information can call Mark Mattecheck at 756-0571.

In addition to individual donations, Three B's Nursery sold a selection of plants and flowers to friends and community members and donated the proceeds to the family, and Sozo Tea and Coffee House opened three hours early for television crews to film the Riddles for their appearances on CBS Early Morning Show, NBC Today Show and CNN.

Tasha said she and John were very grateful to local businesses and the community for being so generous to their family, as well as patient and cooperative with the local, national and international media.