With Nearly 30,000 Diapers Collected, 375 Babies Are Covered

MADISON, CT — Hundreds of babies who live in shoreline communities will be dryer, healthier and happier after police departments from Clinton to East Haven collected diapers and wipes donated by community members in the annual Shoreline Law Enforcement Diaper & Wipe Drive.

The two-week drive resulted in 28,571 diapers and 36,431 wipes delivered to the Fort Path Road Madison location of Bare Necessities, the non-profit that provides diapers and wipes to families in need.

"Our warehouse is bursting," said Bare Necessities president Tina A. Bascom. The volunteer agency provides diapers and wipes for around 375 babies in shoreline towns.

On Valentine's Day, police were invited to a thank you breakfast at Bare Necessities.

"We are so grateful to everyone in and around our shoreline communities who supported the Law Enforcement Diaper Drive. The diapers and wipes collected will help so many families that struggle daily with diaper need," Bascom said.

"A very big thank you to all of the Police Departments who worked so hard to help make this drive a huge success," Bascom said. "There are no words to express how much their support of Bare Necessities means to all the babies we help each month."

In addition to the tens of thousands of diapers and wipes, Bare Necessities received nearly $500 in monetary donations, Bascom said.

The drive is the non-profit's "biggest and most successful" effort and included Madison, Guilford, Clinton, Branford, North Branford, East Haven Police departments and Connecticut State Police Troop F.

The drive has meant that Bare Necessities can provide diapers to the Branford Community Dining Program, Old Saybrook's Social Service Program, and "significantly supplement our distribution in Guilford, Madison and Clinton."

Earlier this month, Bascom said the law enforcement effort, and the generosity of shoreline residents has made a big difference as the non-profit looks to "eliminate diaper need in the Shoreline Community.

An effort that is so important because diapers are expensive. Very expensive.

Ellyn Santiago/Patch