FREEPORT — The cost of keeping fresh diapers on hand can get high quickly for new parents.
Those costs can stretch a family's budget thin, especially in an economy upended by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
The staff at FHN knows that, so they organized the first-ever diaper giveaway event Tuesday afternoon in the parking lot of the Lincoln Mall. The employees immediately recognized just how big the need in Freeport was when they pulled into the parking lot to set up the drive-thru event.
"The cars were lined up an hour early," said Linn Carter of the FHN Value Support Team, which funded and organized the event.
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Through their fundraising efforts, the Value Team collected $1,500 from FHN employees. Many employees also donated packages of diapers and wipes.
Carter said with the cash and packages donated, they were able to hand out 1,000 packages of diapers and 400 packages of wipes. Within minutes of starting the event, which lasted from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Carter saw how much the generosity of the FHN employees meant to those receiving the donations.
"One guy was in tears. He was overwhelmed," Carter said. "He told me that today the family was trying to scratch together enough change to go buy formula."
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Many of the members of the Value Support Team also showed up to hand out a free bundle of size-appropriate diapers (sizes 2 and up) for each child in the household. Parents also got an essentials bundle containing baby wipes, wash, lotion and powder.
With COVID-19 restrictions ongoing, the event was set up like a drive-thru where an FHN team member would ask what size of diapers were needed, then mark a checklist sheet and place it under a windshield wiper so the other teams members could hand the right package to the parents as the vehicles moved through the line. A steady stream of cars rolled through the parking lot for the supplies.
Carter knows all of the supplies will be put to good use.
"We figure about 8-12 diapers a day for a baby. That means buying two packages a week and they cost about $7-$9 per package," Carter said. "The past year also has been difficult to find diapers because of COVID."
She added the Stephenson County Health Department also helped out as employees set up a tent to check car seats for safety and proper fit. After parents got their diapers and essentials package, they could drive to the car seat check and many of them took advantage of that service as well. While there, Health Department staff members also gave parents many of the informational materials to help them out as well.
Carter said the FHN Value Support Team will plan the event next year as well.
"We got lots of thank-yous and we will definitely be doing this again," she said.
Todd McKenna is a freelance correspondent
The Link LonkMay 12, 2021 at 11:37PM
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FHN helps parents with diapers, baby needs in Freeport - Freeport Journal-Standard
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