Dry Bottoms-R-Us Project goal is 1,000 cases of diapers

There's probably nothing in this world that warms our hearts more than babies. They're cute. They're innocent. They're vulnerable. We cuddle them. We love them. We protect them. We do all those things for babies because they cannot do those things for themselves.

Babies touch our hearts. Babies depend upon us for protection. And if you have children, you know that babies are expensive.

In 2010, Kimberly-Clark, a global leader of mom-trusted baby and child care brands, published a study that said one in three families have difficulty affording diapers. Diapers are a basic need for babies and are as essential to their health and well-being as food and shelter.

Yet in this country today, and in Highland County, families unable to afford diapers are faced with having to cut back on basics such as food and utilities in order to purchase diapers.

Kimberly-Clark reports of families leaving children in soiled diapers for longer periods of time than is healthy or even cleaning and drying soiled diapers in order to reuse them. The health impact of this decisions can be staggering.

"Most Americans who have not faced this struggle don't know that the problem even exists, yet I would venture to say that there is not a person who resides in Highland County who has not been touched in some way in the past few years, either in your own family or through a neighbor or friend, by the economic downturn in Highland County and surrounding counties," Southern
Ohio Pregnancy Center director Cathy Griffith said.

In 2010, 579 babies were born in Highland County. Applying the national statistics to that number means that the families of 193 babies in this county struggle to afford diapers.

The national average for diapers each week is $18 or $936 each year for diapers, which is 4 percent of the income level for a family of four at poverty level ($22,350). For the first time in Highland County, families find themselves living at or below the poverty level because of the current economic situation.

"Families are struggling," Griffith said. "We have a crisis in this county, but it is not a crisis that cannot be dealt with."

In 2011, under the direction of the Hope Christian Alliance, a diaper committee was formed. From that committee, the Dry Bottoms-R-Us Project has been launched. In simple terms, Highland County is going to have a huge diaper shower.

Members of the diaper committee are speaking to groups, organizations and churches all over Highland County to get the word out. Brochures are also being spread all over the county.

The Dry Bottoms-R-Us Project (Highland County Baby Shower) will take place through June 17. The goal is 1,000 cases of diapers.

Diaper Drop-Off Points are listed on the committee's brochures. Donors are asked to take the diapers to the drop-off point nearest them. Monetary donations may be made as well. Checks should be made out to the Southern Ohio Pregnancy Center for the Dry Bottoms-R-Us Project.

Diapers will be distributed twice each month by members of the Hillsboro Rotary Club. The distribution point will be at the Southern Ohio Pregnancy Center at 135 W. Walnut St. in Hillsboro.

"This issue touches all of us because it involves the most vulnerable among us," Griffith said. "It's about babies and their families. It's about helping supply their basic needs. It's about being there when a family member or a neighbor needs help. It's about giving and being blessed.

"Thank you for all you do to bless Highland County."