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.
All of the following events take place this Saturday, May 7:
WalK WITH ME TO CURE ARTHRITIS
The Arthritis Foundation Greater Southwest Chapter is hosting its annual Walk with me to Cure Arthritis event to raise awareness about arthritis. The leisurely 1.1 mile-walk around the Phoenix Zoo concludes with a DJ, Massage Envy massage chairs and GoDaddy photo opportunity with a motorcycle and a GoDaddy Girl. Registration (free, donations welcome) begins at 7am; walk begins at 8am. Participation gives you free access to the zoo for the rest of the day. 455 N. Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix.
WALK WITH ME
Easter Seals Southwest Human Development hosts Arizona’s third annual Walk With Me event to benefit children with disabilities and support a wide array of developmental programs, therapies and activities for thousands of Arizona children. The 1.25-mile community walk will be followed by a fun-filled morning of entertainment, food and family activities. Registration begins at 7am; walk begins at 8am. Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Rd. in Phoenix. Learn more.
PRAY FOR JAPAN – SOUND OF CHERRY BLOSSOM
Xavier College Preparatory will present a special benefit classical concert, “Pray for Japan—Sound of Cherry Blossom.” The two-hour concert features Naoko Garrison and her friends in a classic concert including a piano solo, piano duo, small ensemble and voice solo. 7pm in the Virginia G. Piper Performing Arts Center at Xavier College Preparatory. $15 minimum donation for adults and $8 for ages 18 and under. All proceeds will be donated to Catholic Relief Services to help the victims of the earthquake in Japan.
A DERBY AFFAIR
From 1 to 4:30pm the Kentucky Derby will be coming to Arizona as Homeward Bound hosts its 7th Annual “A Derby Affair.” The Derby Lawn of the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa will be transformed into a day of grand traditions and fashionable hats for this event featuring the South’s finest fare, beverages and the best attire this side of the Mississippi. Money raised will support Homeward Bound’s work with families coping with homelessness and domestic violence.
Guests will mingle in “millionaires’ row” while feasting on southern culinary delights, “betting” on horse races throughout the day, taking part in a “Best Dressed” and “Best Hat” competition, enjoying the cigar lounge, bidding in the silent auction and taking photo ops with the on-site equine. The event will culminate with the Kentucky Derby’s Run for the Roses, which will be simulcast on large screens placed throughout the Derby Lawn for all to enjoy.
Tickets range from $350 to $5,000. ) Learn more. and for more information on Homeward Bound.
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.
The school that collects the most diapers – in sizes 3, 4, 5 and 6 – will win a Mimio Teach, an interactive system that turns an ordinary whiteboard into a technology whiteboard.
“This is a great way to foster ‘kids helping kids,’ a wonderful school- and community-building event and an opportunity to teach philanthropy and leadership in a hands-on way,” says Elontec president Ginger Clayton. “Several schools already are participating, including Candeo School, West Wing Elementary and Primrose School of Fletcher Heights.”
The challenge ends Sunday, Jan. 30.
For more information or to register for the Elontec School Diaper Challenge contact Clayton at 623-445-0055 or visit BabyDrive.org.
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/.
