That’s a lot of diapers!

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.

12th Annual Baby Diaper Drive supports moms and babies in need

Monday, Nov. 15, marks the start of the 12th Annual Baby Diaper Drive . The Valleywide drive, which runs through Jan. 30, supports moms and babies at Homeward Bound by providing diapers, wipes, formula and emergency funds.

Homeward Bound is a transitional housing program for homeless women and domestic violence victims with children in metropolitan Phoenix. The organization’s mission is to assist families in achieving economic independence; securing long-term, safe, decent and affordable housing; and break multi-generational cycles of homelessness and domestic violence.

“I joined the board at Homeward Bound in 1997 and learned a lot about family needs, such as the fact that diapers, shampoo, wipes and other paper products couldn’t be purchased with food stamps,” Eileen Rogers, diaper drive founder and president of Allegra Marketing and Print. “I also learned how expensive formula was and heard stories about moms who were going without food so they could purchase various items for their babies. [Through the] Baby Diaper Drive we can intervene and ensure that babies have clean, dry bottoms, adequate formula, baby food, safe car seats, cribs and funds to meet emergency needs — because no child should go without these necessities.”

Those interested in helping out can donate baby goods or give to the Baby Emergency Fund; host a Baby Drive at their company, school, church, or community group; create a holiday or family event that involves children learning the importance of giving or simply join the group’s Facebook to help spread the word.

“Our goal is to raise $75,000 in Emergency Baby Funds and to collect 100,000 diapers,” Rogers says. “Every donation matters — regardless of size. We accept loose diapers as well as packaged ones.”

For more information and to find drop-off locations, visit babydrive.org/.