Cram the Closet Diaper Drive

We were able to get a Mayoral Proclamation signed in honor of our Diaper Drive and in conjunction with Make A Difference Day

Just look at all those diapers!

Debbie and the live remote staff from Rushmore Radio's Magic 93.9

Carrie's on the radio!

Carrie and Debbie kick off Cram the Closet!

Early in my VISTA service, a chaplain from the hospital came to Mommy’s Closet to request diapers for an emergency. A family with six children, three in diapers, was in a horrific auto accident. The children were fine but the parent was not, so the children would go stay with a relative. The relative, however, was financially unprepared to diaper three children. The chaplain came to Volunteers of America, Dakotas to explain the circumstance and find out what we could do for that situation. With enough diapers, we could ensure that no child would go undiapered for long. But diapers are difficult to come by, even for us. So we got to work.

Saturday, October 16, was the culmination of Mommy’s Closet’s first Diaper Drive to Cram the Closet, and it was a success. We spent time gathering community support and hanging posters to raise awareness. Rushmore Radio’s Magic 93.9 joined us at the Family Thrift grocery store on Omaha for a live remote to promote our endeavor, and KEVN created and ran a fantastic commercial. All area Walgreen’s placed their store brand diapers on sale for the week to help us Cram the Closet and advertised on their marquis. While driving on LaCrosse  Street last week, my son shouted, “Look! Mommy’s Closet is on that sign!” when we passed the Walgreen’s by WalMart and I saw Cram the Closet flash across the marquis, a great way to raise awareness but too fast for a photo!

Since Huggies is promoting their Every Little Bottom study that focuses on diaper need among low income families, Sam’s Club was able to allow us to utilize a collection bin that featured the national drive sponsored by Huggies for our local event. Mommy’s Closet has helped low and very low income families in the Rapid City area for three years, and we are working towards becoming a Diaper Bank which will allow us to accept donations from the Huggies national campaign as well as help other agencies that also provide tangible assistance throughout the area.

We would like to extend our gratitude to all of our sponsors: Simpson’s Printing, EPIC, Family Thrift Stores, KEVN and Magic 93.9 of Rushmore Radio.