Kiwanis Clubs team for Des Plaines Baby Shower Drive
The eKiwanis Club of Greater Chicago and Kiwanis Club of Des Plaines will hold an inaugural communitywide Baby Shower Drive June 14-19.
With drop-off locations across Des Plaines, the clubs will collect baby goods and monetary donations to benefit Breakfast with Baby, a program of the Des Plaines Salvation Army.
"Breakfast with Baby is a program both Kiwanis Clubs have been supporting for a number of years," said Jennifer Roeslmeier, eKiwanis immediate past president and Baby Shower chairwoman.
"During the past year, Breakfast with Baby served a record number of families in need of baby diapers and basic baby supplies, which inspired both clubs to hold a baby shower drive to help support these families in need."
Through this weeklong, communitywide event, the clubs seek to make a difference for the one in three local mothers facing diaper need. The event will culminate in a drive-through drop-off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 19, at the Des Plaines Salvation Army, 609 W. Dempster St.
Most-needed items include baby diapers (all sizes), pullups, baby blankets, and baby wipes. New or gently used clothes, sizes newborn to 2T, are also accepted.
Donated items will be distributed to families demonstrating financial need who have a child under 1 year of age or a mother who is at least seven months pregnant. On the second Saturday of each month, the Salvation Army in Des Plaines provides spiritual and material support through the Breakfast with Baby program.
"A lack of diapers increases the risk of disease, including diaper rash, staph infections and hepatitis. It also increases the possibility of child abuse, such as Shaken Baby Syndrome, as the babies cry more when wearing dirty diapers," said Cheryl Hagedorn, director of the Breakfast with Baby program. "Support from the community helps to minimize these risks."
In 2020, pivoting to a drive-through program due to the pandemic, Breakfast with Baby served a record number of families, meeting a nearly 100% increase in the need for basic baby supplies. The program serves 140 families with 7,000 diapers each month.
Kiwanis International is a global organization of clubs and members dedicated to serving the children of the world. Locally, both Kiwanis Clubs have a long-standing partnership with Breakfast with Baby.
"Breakfast with Baby is an excellent, established project of the Salvation Army here in Des Plaines," said Philip Mohr, president of the Kiwanis Club of Des Plaines.
"It only makes sense for us to support their work to provide for the material needs of our neighbors with infants."
Numerous local organizations and businesses have extended their support as drop-off locations.
Community members may bring donations to the following locations in Des Plaines June 14-18:
• Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood St.
• Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker St.
• Des Plaines History Center, 781 Pearson St.
• Village Bank in Des Plaines, 1545 Ellinwood Ave.
• MBD Martial Arts, 1508 Miner St.
• Ace Hardware, 1175 Lee St.
• Frisbie Senior Center, 52 E. Northwest Hwy.
• Ascension Living Nazarethville Place, 300 N. River Road
• First Congregational UCC, 766 Graceland Ave.
• Christ Church UCC, 1492 Henry Ave.
• Trinity Lutheran Church, 675 E. Algonquin Road
Additional in-kind support was provided by the Des Plaines Two Men and a Truck.
For the full list of needed items, drop-off locations and additional details, visit ekiwanis.org/baby-shower-drive.
eKiwanis of Greater Chicago
eKiwanis of Greater Chicago is an Internet-based Kiwanis club. Since 2002, members in the Chicago area have met virtually and addressed local needs through in-person service projects and fundraising. eKiwanis volunteer projects address local and global needs of children, contributing more than 1,000 hours of service annually. Visit ekiwanis.org for more information.
Kiwanis Club of Des Plaines
The Kiwanis Club of Des Plaines helps the children of Des Plaines and the world by supporting education and health initiatives where the need is most acute. Visit dpkiwanis.org for more information.
Des Plaines Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is dedicated to "Doing the Most Good" through programs designed to holistically meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the most vulnerable populations. The Des Plaines Salvation Army provides a variety of services to help people in need in the community. For information, visit centralusa.salvationarmy.org/desplaines.