A clean, dry bottom makes for a happy baby. And, it makes for happy parents.
Unfortunately, not all bottoms are happy. But thanks to two very cool moms, Jill Gaikowski and Melissa Larson, the world is becoming a much happier place – one bottom at a time.
As the founders of Happybottoms.org, they collect diapers to help struggling families in the Kansas City area. Since November, they’ve collected 36,700!
“I am collecting diapers as much as I can and getting them to those who need them,” Gaikowski said. “Our goal is to coordinate diaper drives that support low-income families through community partners.”
According to their website www.happybottoms.org, disposable diapers are in high demand because:
1. Safety-net programs such as SNAP (food stamps) and WIC (women, infants, children) do NOT cover diapers.
2. Diaper companies do NOT make big donations to shelters or outreach programs.
3. Diapers are expensive and cost exponentially more at inner city convenience stores than they do at big box stores or online.
4. Cloth is NOT an option. Laundromats do NOT allow the washing of cloth diapers. Many low-income families don’t own a washing machine. Licensed daycare centers (esp. free or subsidized) do not accept cloth diapers. Parents must provide disposable diapers.
5. If a family can’t afford diapers, a baby will spend extended periods of time, sometimes days at a time, in the same soiled diaper. This increases the risk of numerous health problems, including diaper rash and may be linked to an increased rate of hepatitis. Not to mention an unhappy baby!
6. Unhappy babies are crying babies. Crying babies are more likely to be abused by an already stressed out caregiver.
This Saturday, you can help families in need by bringing a donation of diapers or wipes to my free concert. There will be door prizes and giveaways, too. Here are the details:
Mr. Stinky Feet Concert
Saturday, April 24
10 a.m.
Cedar Ridge Christian Church Gymnasium
8839 Lackman Rd., Lenexa, KS 66219
(Check out my show dates and details here)
If you can’t make it on Saturday, you can bring diaper, wipe, and ointment donations to any one of my shows from now until I'm too old to sing. Or, you can drop them off in collection bins at these locations:
Deanna Rose Farmstead
Paradise Park
Wonderscope Children's Museum
The Learning Tree (Leawood and Prairie Village)
Children's Orchard (Lee's Summit, Olathe, and Kansas City)
TITLE Boxing Club
We thank you! And all those tiny bottoms thank you!
