Highland Lakes groups team up for Dump Truck Diaper Drive
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
MARBLE FALLS — When Kylie Weathers, a volunteer with the Highland Lakes Pregnancy Resource Center, realized how much of a need there was for diapers, she decided to go big to meet it.
And when she says big, she means dump truck big.
“We’re going to have a diaper drive on Dec. 6, and it’s going to be a dump truck diaper drive,” Weathers said. “We’re going to try and fill a dump truck with diapers, and we need everybody’s help.”
The Dump Truck Diaper Drive benefitting the Highland Lakes Pregnancy Resource Center and the Bluebonnet Trails Early Childhood Development program is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 6 in the parking lot of Lake Shores Church, 704 U.S. 281 in Marble Falls.
While much attention is focused on food and toy drives during the Christmas season, there is also a big demand for diapers, especially for families struggling economically, just starting out or raising an infant with a illness or other serious medical condition.
“It’s a constant need,” said Dolores Bacon-Whatley, the resource center’s executive director. “Diapers are so expensive. Even if you get off-brands, it still costs about $30 for a case. And they don’t last long, especially if you have a sick child.”
Earlier this year, Cathy Lemlyn of the Bluebonnet Trails Early Childhood Development program, set up a diaper bank for her clients. She pointed out it’s not just a struggle for low-income families but for those in the middle-income bracket as well.
“It’s a big need,” she said. “I don’t know if people realize, but if you have a child who is sick or has a medical condition, the expenses really pile up, even for middle-income and upper-income families. And diapers are so expensive that I’m always getting requests for them from my clients.”
Over the past few months, Lemlyn has worked to spread the word about the need, and when Weathers approached her about a one-day drive benefitting the two organizations, Lemlyn gave her a thumbs-up.
“She came up with the idea of a dump truck drive and has organized it herself,” Lemlyn said. “It’s definitely something both (the resource center and Bluebonnet Trails program) can benefit from.”
It also keeps the issue in front of the public.
“That’s one of the problems with diapers, most people don’t realize the need,” Bacon-Whatley said. “We get some donations in, but there is such a demand that they don’t last.”
So on Dec. 6, the organizations are asking everyone to stop by Lake Shores Church and help fill the dump truck with diapers. Along with diapers, they’ll also accept baby wipes and monetary donations.
Call (325) 388-0354 for more information.
daniel@thepicayune.com