This will be the second year their yellow bus will appear in Burien, and Nancy Woodland, Executive Director of WestSide Baby, knows that the Burien community has a big heart and challenges us to try to collect more diapers than the West Seattle Bus last weekend.

“The bus will be empty, ready and waiting for thousands and thousands of disposable diapers. 30,000 were collected in West Seattle and we’ve heard there is a competitive spirit to match the community spirit in Burien.” shared Woodland. “Drive or walk up, or even climb aboard with your diapers and know you’ve done something tangible to help a local family.”

The goal for Saturday is to collect 50,000 diapers, and we just know B-Towners can rise to the challenge.

Local organizer, Jill Mudge, has also arranged collection sites at two area grocery stores, Normandy Park QFC and Albertson’s on SW 160th. Diapers collected at those sites on Thursday and Friday evening and Saturday daytime, will all be brought to the Bus at Burien Town Square. Mudge states, “I’ve seen this community do amazing things to help those in need. I know we can beat West Seattle!” Mudge also secured a donated bus thanks to the YMCA, further insuring that donations collected will go toward diapers instead of event costs.

Last year WestSide Baby distributed more than 200,000 diapers to local children. That number is expected to climb this year to nearly 350,000 and this amount still does not fill the need. Food stamps do not cover diapers and at approximately 23 cents each that can average $70 to $100 per month for a struggling family.

“This most basic need should be as important to us all as putting food on the table,” remarked Woodland. “WestSide Baby distributes more than 8000 diapers each week and we depend on community donations to help fill that need. We are so thankful to the community for donating diapers and cash donations at our Stuff the Bus events…their actions truly do make a difference in someone’s life.”

Over the past 10 years, individuals, families, clubs, church programs and other organizations in the Burien and West Seattle community and in Greater Seattle have collected diapers for the WestSide Baby diaper rally. The results help out all year long. Diapers are distributed through partnerships with established social service agencies all over King County with a large number in South King County.

This year, WestSide Baby is fortunate to have a corporate partner in Kimberly-Clark‘s Huggies’ brand, on the heels of a large diaper donation to the organization in June as part of the Every Little Bottom program to help get diapers to babies in need. As the Exclusive Level Sponsor of the event, Huggies is solidifying its commitment to supporting the efforts of organizations like WestSide Baby.

“The issue of diaper deprivation is so pervasive and the need is so great that addressing it adequately will require the combined efforts of corporate support like this as well as individual donations by community members.” Woodland said. “While King County area babies are so fortunate that Huggies is supporting our event, filling the buses with diapers requires the actions of many. With the 10th Annual Stuff the Bus diaper drive, we hope to not only continue our programs of providing a 5-8 day supply of diapers to a family but, hopefully, to increase that number to provide more or to serve more children.“

For more information, visit www.westsidebaby.org, or call (206) 767-1662.

About WestSide Baby
WestSide Baby, in partnership with our community, provides essential items to local children in need by collecting and distributing diapers, clothing, toys and equipment. In 2010, WestSide Baby distributed more than $1.28 million in goods to children up to size 12 serving more than 15,000 local kids. By partnering with 94 established social service agencies, we are able to focus simply on the items children need to thrive while trained professionals can address other issues to give families a hand in a time of need.

The White Center Eagles have breakfast every Sunday from 9am – Noon, and this Sunday (July 25) they’ll be doing a fundraiser to help “Stuff the Bus” for

Most breakfasts are regularly $6 and that includes coffee and juice. It is open to the public and kids are welcome.

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Stuff the Bus” fundraiser for WestSide Baby

WHEN: Sunday, July 25th, 9am – Noon

WHERE: White Center Eagles Hall, located at 10452 15th Avenue SW; (206) 248-1400?

The B-Town Blog, along with our sister site The White Center Blog, look forward to seeing as many of our Readers and Neighbors as possible this coming Saturday, Nov. 14th, at the White Center Albertsons for a special Thanksgiving-related food drive: our 2nd Annual Turkeys N’ Diapers Fundraiser!

It’ll run from 10am to 4pm, and all donations will go to the White Center Food Bank (food) and WestSide Baby (diapers & baby stuff).

Albertsons is located at 16th Avenue SW and SW 106th Street in White Center.

We’ll be collecting turkeys and diapers (yes, that’s correct: turkeys and diapers!).

Important note about the diapers – says Nancy Woodland, Executive Director of WestSide Baby:

“We only need diapers in large sizes, Size 5 or 6 or Pull-ups in size 4T. Thanks!”

Stuffing and canned vegetables and other Thanksgiving-related food items would be greatly appreciated.

Donations in the form of cash and checks (made out to “White Center Food Bank”) will also be gratefully accepted.

The crew will be lead again this year by the blog’s own Bart Bryan, host of the recurring interview segments “Whaddaya Think?”

“We raised over $1,100 last year. Let’s double that this year!” said Bart. “Folks around here can really use the help!”

The  White Center Food Bank will make available the food, as they do year-round, to nearby families in need.

The Food Bank works hand-in-hand with WestSide Baby, a nonprofit organization that collects previously-owned items for children and babies and distributes them free of charge to South King County families in need.

In 2008 WestSide Baby served more than 12,000 children.

“See you all Saturday at the White Center Albertsons!” says Bart.

Here’s year-round contact information:

White Center Food Bank
10829 8th Ave SW
Seattle WA  98146
www.whitecenterfoodbank.org
Phone: 206-762-2848

And:

WestSide Baby
10032 15th Ave SW
Seattle, WA  98146
(206) 767-1662
www.westsidebaby.org

Click image (or here) to download a printable PDF poster (feel free to print & post!)

WestSide Baby’s 9th Annual “Stuff the Bus” Diaper Drive is coming to Burien Chevrolet this Sunday, July 19th from 10am to 2pm, and here’s how you can help:

WHAT: WestSide Baby’s 9th Annual Stuff the Bus Diaper Drive

WHEN: Sunday, July 19th from 10am – 2pm

WHERE: Burien Chevrolet in Burien at 14400 1st Ave. S. (also at the West Seattle Farmer’s Market in the West Seattle Junction at the corner of California and 44th Ave. SW).

INFO: For more information: www.westsidebaby.org — (206) 767-1662, 10032 15th Ave SW, Seattle WA 98146.

From their press release:

It’s time to “Stuff the Bus!” WestSide Baby’s 9th Annual Diaper Drive is Sunday, July 19, 10 am – 2 pm in West Seattle and, for the first time ever, in Burien.  We plan to collect 100,000 in one day!

Two big yellow school buses provided by First Student will be prominently parked — empty, ready and waiting for thousands and thousands of disposable diapers. You will find one bus in West Seattle at the West Seattle Farmer’s Market and the other in Burien at Burien Chevrolet.  Drive or walk up, climb aboard with your diapers and know you’ve done something tangible to help a local family.  These diapers are then distributed, free of charge, to children in need in the King County communities served by WestSide Baby.

Last year WestSide Baby distributed more than 240,000 diapers to local children. This year, we are expecting that number to climb to nearly 300,000!   Nancy Woodland, Executive Director of WestSide Baby, challenges the community to “Stuff the Bus” with 100,000 diapers this Sunday.   That would be 3 times more than last year but would allow us to adequately meet the incredible need.

“We especially need larger size diapers (Sizes 3-6) and Pull-Ups as they are our greatest demand,” Woodland said. “Food stamps do not cover diapers, and at approximately 23 cents each that can average $70 per month for a struggling family. This most basic need should be as important to us all as putting food on the table.  WestSide Baby distributes more than 4500 diapers each week and we depend on community donations to help fill that need.”

Over the past 9 years, individuals, families, clubs, church programs and other organizations in the Burien and West Seattle community and in Greater Seattle have collected diapers for the one-day WestSide Baby diaper rally. The results help out all year long.

Why diapers? Because a child that sits in the same diaper all day is vulnerable to diaper rash, infections, even abuse. Think about it: a wet, poopy baby cries long and hard until getting changed. The average newborn needs eight to ten diapers each day and the impact of rationing diapers means more diaper rash, unhappy babies and stressed parents. Why not cloth diapers? Most daycare centers require the use of disposable diaper for children, and most clinical settings, like crisis shelters, use disposable diapers for a combination of ease and sanitation.  Studies also show the environment impact of sanitizing cloth diapers and using disposable diapers to be very similar.  If parents can’t afford the diapers that a day care center requires, they may not be able to take the very job that may help the family move out of crisis or poverty. Washing cloth diapers can be a burden on low-income families who have to travel to the laundromat after work, often with children in tow.

About WestSide Baby:   WestSide Baby, in partnership with our community, provides essential items to local children in need by collecting and distributing diapers, clothing, toys and equipment.  In 2008, WestSide Baby distributed more than $1.28 million in goods to children up to size 12 serving more than 14,000 local kids. By partnering with 108 established social service agencies, we are able to focus simply on the items children need to thrive while trained professionals can address other issues to give families a hand in a time of need.

Just a reminder to everyone that tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 22nd) is our first-ever “Turkeys N’ Diapers” holiday fundraiser for both the White Center Food Bank and WestSide Baby!

It will take place from 11am to 4pm at the White Center Albertsons, which is located at 10616 16th Avenue SW in White Center (map below).

We’ll be accepting food donations, diapers and baby items, etc. as well as cash and check donations to benefit hungry and needy Burien and White Center families who are served by the White Center Food Bank and WestSide Baby.

These are wonderful non-profit groups that help people, year round, who could really use a hand.

We are kindly asking for the following donations, which can be purchased at Albertsons (or elsewhere) and left with our crew outside the front door:

• Turkeys and Hams (or Tofurkey, etc.)
• Chicken or Turkey Broth
• Gravy Mixes
• Stuffing Mixes
• Fruit Cocktail
• Whole Olives
• Jello or Pudding Mixes
• Canned Pumpkin
• Canned Cranberry Sauce
• Condensed or Evaporated Milk
• Canned vegetables
• Canned yams or sweet potatoes
• $5 or $10 gift certificates to Albertsons
• …and Diapers and other baby items (formula, baby wipes, etc.), of course!

Cash and check donations are also welcome.

See you there!

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