Diaper Drives Underway at Local Hospitals
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington, and Advocate Condell Medical Center, Libertyville are holding diaper drives in June to benefit the Diaper Bank Partnership of Lake County.
The Diaper Bank Partnership was seeded six years ago with a donation of 201,000 diapers - more than five semitrailer trucks worth - from the Kimberly-Clark Corporation.
Organizers say the goal is to provide a basic commodity for children and adults that can cost $100 a month or more but isn't covered by traditional aid programs, such as food stamps, public aid or Link, or is reimbursable through insurance or Medicare for adults older than 65.
Dirty diapers can pose health problems from skin disease to infections, such as hepatitis.
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital is at 450 W. Hwy. 22, Barrington. Donations may be dropped off at the Main Entrance Lobby, the West Pavilion, the Testing Center and the Cardiac Pavilion.
Advocate Condell Medical Center is at 801 S. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Donations may be dropped off at the Main Entrance Lobby, the West Tower Lobby, Day Care, the Centre Club (Libertyville) and the Centre Club (Gurnee).
The biggest need is for sizes 5 and 6 infant, as well as adult Depends.
More than a dozen organizations in southern Lake County are members of the Diaper Bank Partnership, which is part of the National Diaper Bank Network.
Churches and food pantries have recognized a need, according to Suzanne "Sam" Martinez, coordinator, Congregational Outreach at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, which is part of the effort and has 200 congregations in its coverage area.
Those who need diapers will apply with staff senior advocates or general assistance workers at the individual agencies. The need will be tallied and, once a month, an order faxed to Wauconda Township, where agencies will pick up the orders for later distribution.
"The idea is to connect with all the service providers in the area," Martinez said. "Our goal is to ensure we have enough supply to meet demand. We'll be developing a strategy to have (diaper) collections throughout the year."
Additional information about the charity may be found at diaperbanklc.com. Monetary donations may also be made via the website. The group may also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/diaperbanklc.
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