For a few precious moments Sunday, Kori Nurss had time to relax.

"I feel spoiled," the mother of three said as she sat for a haircut in Medford’s Alba Park. Her infant son, Eli, slept placidly on her chest while her son Josh, 13, had his hair cut in an adjacent chair, and her son Caleb, 7, romped in a bouncing castle with other kids.

"They give you flowers and cake and a free haircut," she said. "It’s a lot of fun."

"They" included dozens of businesses and volunteers who contributed to Jackson County’s sixth annual celebration for mothers and children. Hundreds of moms, grandmas and kids came to the park to enjoy free food and music and honor their role as mothers.

Linda Doren of Medford, a new grandmother, reflected on two generations of parenting as she watched moms, grandmas and kids enjoy the afternoon together.

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"When I look at what my son does with my grandson, it makes me think about how I raised him," Doren said. "I take a lot of pride seeing him use what I taught him to raise his son."

Jackson County’s Safe Place, a resource center for women and children, organized the celebration in 1999 to honor mothers who might not otherwise get much recognition on Mother’s Day. Many of the women who visit the Safe Place have struggled with abuse and abandonment.

"We wanted to have a place where we could say we’re grateful for the (parenting) they do," said Tina Lines, Safe Place coordinator.

"We wanted to give them a day that wouldn’t cost them anything."

Lines said the annual celebration has grown steadily with support from local businesses and volunteers. Volunteers served up about 900 hot dogs, and children distributed about 400 roses to moms and grandmas. Many of the moms stayed at the park long enough for a chance to win one of more than 100 donated door prizes.

Lines said more moms come to the celebration with each passing year. "There’s a community of moms who really need a place to feel like they belong. That’s why we keep doing it. They know we’re going to be here to keep supporting them."

Doren said the casual atmosphere encouraged women to talk about their joys and sorrows.

"I’ve seen a lot of people mingling. They leave with smiles on their faces," she said. "They’ve had an opportunity to meet people who have the same problems they have. New friendships have developed here."

Reach reporter Bill Kettler at 776-4492, or e-mail bkettler@mailtribune.com