The first thing you need to know about hosting a diaper drive (or volunteering in general) is that you do not need to collect the most amount of diapers ever collected in diaper drive history. Sometimes we think we need to do everything on a grand scale for it to be successful. This kind of thinking can deter people from ever starting an event. If you are interested in hosting a diaper drive remember that whether you collect 2 or 2000 boxes of diapers, you are a massive success. You helped. Period.
Through writing my previous post for Huggies I was made painfully aware of a real need for diapers in communities across North America. Know that I am under no obligation to host a diaper drive in my community because I was sponsored to write a blog. I was simply asked to write two blogs to raise awareness for Huggies Every Little Bottom campaign. I could have written them and moved on, but I can not.
I can not “unlearn” something. I can not unlearn that 1 in 5 Canadian mothers struggles with diaper needs, that some mothers dry out disposable diapers and reuse them or that some have to let their babies sit in dirty diapers longer than they should to make their diapers last. For more heartbreaking realities click here.
I am currently planning a diaper drive in Ottawa and these are the steps I am following from Huggies website on how to Host a Diaper Drive.
Find a local charitable organization to donate the diapers you collect.
This was easy for me. I called the Ottawa Food Bank with whom I’ve volunteered before. I learned that they go through 250-300 cases of diapers a month. These diapers are purchased with money donated to them. Many of us only think of diapers when donating to the food bank. My contact tells me that diapers, pull-ups, wipes and other baby essentials are always needed.
Set a date and find a location for your diaper drive.
You can run this at work and have your desk be the drop off location. Remember, you are doing good at any level. Currently I have United Way offices as a drop off location and am talking to other interested parties. We’ve also decided to run our diaper drive for a two week period starting November 22 and ending December 7th. Working with the United Way in Ottawa we’ve decided to end our drive on their second Community Day of Action in order to get volunteers to pick up diapers at our drop off locations.
Find volunteers, including ones who can deliver the diapers you collect.
So when I say “we” I mean me and Stéphanie Montreuil, who saw what I was doing on Twitter and said “I want in!” Hooray for Stéphanie! Stéphanie can be found blogging at The Lotus Pad and is also the Ottawa face of the Fuchsia Factory. She is wonderful and I couldn’t do this without her. I also have Kelli and Connie, my fellow yummies to help out too. Once you put the call out, I guarantee the volunteers will come.
Find a theme, and remember the more fun, the better. We’re working on this but so far we have Ottawa Diaper drive. Very creative I know.
Get the word out and raise awareness.
If you are on Twitter and Facebook share the news via social media. For your friends who don’t participate in social network, email is a great tool. Put up signs and posters, and call your local radio, newspaper and TV station. All you can do is try to help raise awareness for your cause.
Email Huggies to let them know when and where your diaper drive will be held.
Huggies would love to help spread the word for you. Email the details to [email protected]
Collect the diapers and donate them.
Count how many diapers you collect and spread the good news. Make sure you tell Huggies so that they can add to their tally. Huggies is aiming to help raise 22.5 million diapers. Take pride in whatever you raise. You are a hero. Walk on a cloud for a few days.
Send Huggies a recap and inspire others.
Share your story. Email your friends, call them, send smoke signals......you rock! Tell Huggies too so that you can inspire others to help.
This blog is proudly sponsored by our friends at Huggies
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