If you have a baby, you know it's expensive to care for them. With diapers costing about $100 a month, millions of families in the U.S. say they don't have enough money to provide this basic necessity. Without any government programs to help, a local company is now organizing an event to make sure infants and toddlers are clean, dry and healthy.
Emily Jacobson is the owner of Green Bay Doulas.
"We support families through labor, postpartum and we also do specialty services such as childbirth education and placenta encapsulation," she explains.
During a doula conference last fall, she and fellow doula Nakita Lor-Brooks learned about the No Child Wet Behind organization and signed-on to host a diaper drive and 5K race in Green Bay on May 21st. 23 other states will hold events the same day.
"It should be fun. It's going to be the first time. I want it to be huge, and I want it to keep growing of course," said Lor-Brooks.
You'll also see hot pink donation boxes at North Shore Bank locations in the Green Bay area to collect disposable diapers in all sizes that are desperately needed in our community.
"One in three households need diapers. There's a struggle for sure especially in our area," said Lor-Brooks.
"Child abuse can go up in these families when they're leaving their children in diapers longer, and babies may possibly form rashes, become more ornery, and all of a sudden the cascade of events starts to happen," added Jacobson.
With babies using about a dozen diapers a day, the more people donate, the better.
Lor-Brooks says, "My goal is just to be able to provide some relief to families in need."
"That's one less thing they have to worry about. Little bit of stress off their backs," says Jacobson, "and just let them take a big sigh of relief to know that the community cared about them."
Green Bay Doulas goal is to fill a U-Haul with donated diapers to not only improve the lives of local families, but also to raise awareness of a need that's often overlooked. All of the diapers will go to the Brown County United Way which will then deliver them to about ten organizations that serve low-income families in the area.
Registration for the No Child Wet Behind 5K race is $20 and a package of diapers. It's being held Saturday, May 21st at Joannes Park in Green Bay. There will also be a one mile family fun run, raffles, and activities for the kids. Click here for more information.
