Franciscan Health Diaper Drive collects 4,165 diapers

Franciscan Health Olympia Fields has hosted its annual Diaper Drive to raise awareness of diaper insecurity in the community for three years. This year, more than 4,100 diapers were collected for distribution to local community organizations to help families in Chicago’s Southland.

"We hosted the Diaper Drive during Diaper Insecurity Month in October to meet this need prior to the holidays," said Joan Culver, Director of Patient Care Services. “Since many families are forced to choose between purchasing food for their family or diapers to keep their little ones clean and healthy, these donations offer a little less worry and create awareness for the need in the community.”

4,165 diapers of all brands and sizes were dropped off at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields campus. Donations were made by hospital staff and members of the community, including a donation of 1,050 diapers from Xi Mu Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Franciscan Health Foundation also received $470 in monetary donations from various donors, including the Flossmoor Service League, to purchase additional diapers at a discounted hospital rate.

Donated diapers will be distributed to local community organizations, including Respond NOW and Aid for Women. Some some will be retained for Franciscan Health Olympia Fields Family Birth Center patients in need.

“This year's successful Diaper Drive allows us to serve many more families across the Southland with resources and education about diaper insecurity," Culver said.

Franciscan Health has made diaper drives like this a priority because diaper insecurity is an often overlooked factor that can lead to child abuse and neglect.

Those interesting in helping to combat diaper insecurity by making diaper or monetary donations are welcome to do so through Franciscan Health Foundation. Please call (708) 852-2430 for more information.

Photo Caption:

Sister M. Ruth Luthman, OSF, MSN, Vice President for Mission Integration (left); Mari Lynn Ross, Chief Nursing Officer; Laurie Crosby, Executive Director, Franciscan Health Foundation, South Suburban Chicago Division; Dawn Brechtel, Director of Mission Services; Dr. Shaunda Chin-Bonds, OBGYN; Joan Culver, Director of Patient Care Services; Raquel Lewis, Patient Care Coordinator, Family Birth Center with some of the donations from this year’s Franciscan Health Diaper Drive.

Submitted by Robyn Ali, Marketing Specialist, Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, Marketing and Public Relations Department robyn.ali@franciscanalliance.org