Eighth graders at Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran School in Scottsdale collected 11,732 diapers during last year's drive.
The 13th Annual Baby Diaper Drive kicked off last week with the goal of providing 100,000 diapers and $75,000 in emergency baby funds for Homeward Bound families across the Valley.
Students at one Valley school sold lemonade to raise emergency funds for the families at Homeward Bound.
The Diaper Drive supplies baby essentials such as diapers, wipes, and baby formula — which are not covered by food stamps — to moms and children who are victims of homelessness or domestic violence.
Homeward Bound’s mission is to help these moms achieve “economic independence; secure long-term, safe, decent, affordable housing and break multi-generational cycles of homelessness and domestic violence,” according to the nonprofit organization’s website.
More than 138,462 diapers and $62,004 in cash were collected during the 12th Annual Baby Diaper Drive to benefit the babies and toddlers participating in Homeward Bound, a transitional housing program for homeless and domestic violence families with children.
This year’s record-breaking results were significantly impacted by the effort from Valley school children who participated in the Elontec School Diaper Drive Challenge. Seven schools participated and together they collected more than 70,000 diapers.
Summit School of Ahwatukee collected 20,493 diapers — the largest amount of diapers collected — and the student body will be presented with a Mimeo Teach board at their March 24th school assembly. “Involving the schools was a great way not only to foster kids helping kids, but it was a wonderful school and community-building event, as well as an opportunity to teach philanthropy and leadership in a hands-on way,” says Ginger Clayton, president of Elontec and Baby Diaper Drive chair.
The final tally from this year’s diaper drive more than doubled last year’s results. “I am always amazed at the end result,” says Eileen Rogers, Baby Diaper Drive founder and Allegra Integrated Marketing & Print Solutions president. “This drive brings together all ages, individuals, families, companies, churches, sports teams all wanting to help Homeward Bound families on their journey to self-sufficiency,” said Rogers.
Homeward Bound is a 12- to 24-month program that provides comprehensive services to assist families achieve economic independence, secure long-term, safe, decent, affordable housing, and break multi-generational cycles of homelessness, welfare dependence and domestic violence. For those families completing the program, there is a 95 percent success rate.
The diapers and supplies collected, as well as the cash contributions, will be used throughout the year to fill the gap when Homeward Bound families are struggling to provide the basic necessities their babies and toddlers need.
Emergency funds will be used to purchase much needed items for children, including eye glasses, hearing aids, breathing machine rental, speech therapy and special dietary foods such as soy and goat’s milk.
The Baby Diaper Drive is a grassroots effort and done “One Diaper, One Dollar and One Person” at a time. For more information visit BabyDrive.org or HBPhx.org.
