LLC Gives Back: Local. Family. Fun. It isn’t just the mission. It’s Little Lake County’s vision. What can we do to help our local families? Every month LLC explores a local nonprofit organization, introduces them to our readers, and provides examples of ways to make a positive impact in our community.
There is nothing like a new baby. Babies bring a sense of excitement, wonder, and a love so deep it brings a tear to your eye just thinking about it. But if you’re short on cash, it’s overwhelming to keep a baby healthy. Precious little babies need bottles, baby food, clothes, a crib, car seat…the list goes on and on. And probably the most expensive item is something you need multiple times a day: diapers.
The Catholic Charities Diaper Banks is entering its 5th anniversary year distributing diapers for those in need in Lake County. Catholic Charities operates a Diaper Bank in downtown Waukegan, Illinois. A member of the National Diaper Bank Network, the diaper bank has been self-funded with private donations since its inception and operates via an agency partnership distribution network. Currently there are 15 non-profit, social service agencies that distribute Catholic Charities’ diapers throughout Lake County. Partner agencies place monthly diaper orders and pick them up at the Catholic Charities Diaper Depot in Waukegan.
In 2015, the Catholic Charities Diaper Depot distributed 185,631 diapers to 5,285 children in need throughout Lake County. The Diaper Depot is also the lead organizer of the Diaper Bank Coalition. This coalition consists of Diaper Banks in both Lake and Cook Counties. The Diaper Bank Coalition was formed by the initiative of the Catholic Charites Diaper Depot to establish a way to share industry standards and best practice procedures among other local diaper banks.
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is a multipurpose, social service agency serving Cook and Lake Counties with a mission to provide compassionate, competent and professional services that strengthen and support individuals, families and communities based on the value and dignity of human life. The agency is an incorporated, 501(c) 3 not for profit organization. Catholic Charities was founded in 1917 and services began in Lake County in 1945. For 70 years, Catholic Charities Lake County Services has provided a comprehensive range of social services in four important areas: basic human needs, families and individuals, children and senior services. The agency serves each person regardless of religious, racial, ethnic, or socio-economic background. Last year the agency provided an array of services that benefited 56,219 residents of Lake County, provided by 23 sites across the county.
An easy way to help others is to participate in the diaper drives Little Lake County has coming up this summer during our 2016 Little Lake County Playground Tour. What better way to spend a beautiful day–playing with your children and helping other children and families by keeping their babies dry and healthy. A healthy baby is a happy baby! Little Lake County will also be hosting a Diaper Drive Box and a storytime at Chick-fil-A Vernon Hills on Monday, June 13. In addition to the diaper drives during the Little Lake County playground dates this summer:
- June 15 Millenium Park, Lindenhurst 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- June 30 Lake Zurich JCC, Garoon Gateway to Science Park 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- July 13 Grayslake Central Park (splash pad) 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- July 27 Vernon Hills, Kids Castle, Deerpath 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- August 10 Lake Villa, Caboose Park 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
The Diaper Depot is our third quarter charity partner as part of our Little Lake County Gives Back program, a community outreach effort to connect not-for-profit organizations with our readers. For more information on the program, please contact Melissa at [email protected].
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