![[ NEWS ]](/images/fall97/newsf97.gif)
Arizona Daily Wildcat December 3, 1997
Drive for diapers collecting donations from UA students
The organizer of a December diaper drive hopes UA students will do their doodie ... or duty and participate in Resolve's third annual diaper-collecting effort to benefit needy families."There are no major diaper manufacturers that donate diapers," project coordinator Kirsten Cloutier said of the effort, which provides local crisis centers with diaper supplies.
"Last year's drive saved (the centers) about $30,000," she added.
Cloutier said diapers cost the Casa de los Niños, Pio Decimo and Tucson Indian centers thousands of dollars each year; between the three 2,900 diapers are used per week - or 12,450 per month.
Last year's drive collected more than 100,000 diapers as both Arizona-Sonora and Manzanita-Mohave Residence Halls participated, Cloutier said.
Residents put up posters and set out boxes for people to drop their diapers into.
Manzi-Mo residents collected the most - about 1,000 diapers.
Resolve's goal this year is 150,000, Cloutier said.
"There's nobody else out there fulfilling this need," she said. "If we don't, who is going to?"
Residence Life Assistant Director Greg Ziebell said he didn't know if residents are planning to participate again this year.
Casa de los Niños provides shelter and care for abused, neglected or homeless children.
The Pio Decimo and Tucson Indian centers provide social services and distribute donated necessities, such as diapers, to needy families.
Cloutier works for Resolve Inc., a management consulting firm that has sponsored the December Diaper Drive for two years.
Local radio Station 94.9 MIX-FM will also participate, morning show producer Leah Dalton said.
According to Dalton, the station will broadcast live Dec. 5 in front of the Resolve offices at 4433 E. Broadway Blvd. to kick off the month-long drive.
Disc jockeys will urge passers-by to stop and unload their diapers for the cause.
"It's a very important event to be involved with," Dalton said. "Especially in this time of need for Tucson."
Collecting diapers may sound like a messy business, but Cloutier said it is actually a lot of fun.
After all, every cloud has a padded lining.
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Cloutier at 321-4433.
