The Chesterfield County Diaper Drive is back for its 12th year, and it needs the community’s help more than ever to collect newly packaged baby diapers and wipes.
“We are in critical need this year,” said Leslie Pakula, Infant & Toddler Connection of Chesterfield program manager. “We need all baby diaper sizes and more baby wipes, preferably unscented, to meet the needs of some families enrolled in our programs.”
The Chesterfield County Diaper Drive benefits families enrolled in Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Families First and Infant and Toddler Connection of Chesterfield, which is administered by Chesterfield County’s Department of Mental Health Support Services.
As part of the drive, residents and businesses are encouraged to purchase new, unopened packages of diapers to assist hundreds of families across the county and Colonial Heights enrolled with Families First – a nationally accredited program of Healthy Families America and Parents as Teachers, which provides family support services to ensure children are healthy, well-adjusted individuals ready to start school by age 5.
The drive also assists Infant & Toddler Connection of Chesterfield, which provides early intervention support and services to infants and toddlers from birth through age 2 who have delays in their development or diagnosed conditions that will most likely lead to delays.
There are several ways to pitch-in and donate this year.
Community partners, such as local businesses, daycares, neighborhood associations, churches, and fraternity and sorority groups, are highly encouraged to host individual diaper drives this month.
People also have the option to purchase new baby diapers and unscented baby wipes directly from the county’s Diaper Drive’s Amazon Wish List.
Individuals can drop off their newly packaged baby diapers and unscented baby wipes at any Chesterfield Public Library branch, (with the exception of LaPrade Library, which is closed for renovations) during operating hours.
People can also schedule a time to drop off their diapers and wipes at the following locations by calling:
- Rogers Building – Mental Health Support Services
6801 Lucy Corr Blvd.
Chesterfield, 23832
804-768-7212
- Infant & Toddler Connection of Chesterfield
9711 Farrar Court
North Chesterfield, 23236
804-768-7205
Furthermore, Chesterfield-based Hitting Cancer Below the Belt (HCB2), an organization promoting colorectal cancer education and screening, is partnering with Chesterfield County to help collect new baby diapers and unscented wipes during its 13th annual Boxer Brief 5K in Richmond in June.
The summer donation push during the 5K will help replenish the program’s stock of baby diapers and wipes.
As part of the day’s activities, the organization will be hosting its second annual Diaper Dash and the inaugural Toddler Trot for little ones wanting to join in the day’s festivities.
“This continues to be a community drive,” said Ashley Rogers, Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Families First program coordinator. “Whenever we put out a call for something we need for our families, like diapers and wipes, Chesterfield and the surrounding region always responds. For that, we continue to be incredibly grateful for any donation we receive – big or small.”
For more information about the Chesterfield County Diaper Drive, or to register for HCB2’s 5K, Diaper Dash and Toddler Trot, visit the official Diaper Drive website.
Interested organizations, groups, daycares or businesses interested in starting their own diaper drives should directly contact Ashley Rogers at rogersa@chesterfield.gov; or Leslie Pakula at pakulal@chesterfield.gov to receive official Diaper Drive material, and to arrange times to drop off donations in person.
Together, we can keep Chesterfield County covered!
