(L-R) Senator Tim Kearney, Representative Lisa Borowski, Representative Heath Boyd, Senator Amanda Cappelletti, Katie Kenyon, Vice President for Programs for The Foundation for Delaware County, Frances Sheehan, President of The Foundation for Delaware County, Kim Walker, Upper Darby WIC Clinic Supervisor, and Mike Ranck, President and CEO of Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County, collaborated to deliver over 10,000 diapers and assorted baby items to the Upper Darby Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Clinic on Tuesday.
DELAWARE COUNTY, PA – December 20, 2023 – On Tuesday, a significant donation of more than 10,000 diapers and related baby supplies reached the Upper Darby WIC office, thanks to the combined efforts of various state elected officials representing parts of Delaware County and local branches of the Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County.
Senator Tim Kearney, the driving force behind this annual diaper collection campaign for the third consecutive year, was accompanied by Senator Amanda Cappelletti, Representatives Lisa Borowski and Heather Boyd, as well as staff members from the offices of Representatives Gina H. Curry, Leanne Krueger, Jennifer O’Mara, Carol Kazeem, and Greg Vitali. Also present were Mike Ranck, President and CEO of Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County, and Frances Sheehan, President of The Foundation for Delaware County.
Senator Kearney expressed his gratitude, stating, “Our impact grows each year due to the generosity of our constituents and neighbors. This year, with the support of my esteemed state colleagues and the Springfield, Upper Darby, Ridley, and Rocky Run YMCAs, we expanded our outreach with over a dozen drop-off locations across Delco.”
Mike Ranck, President and CEO of Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County, remarked, “We are proud to contribute to supporting families in our community with young children. Our members and staff consistently rise to the occasion to assist those in need, as demonstrated by this successful diaper drive.”
The collection included various brands and sizes of diapers, baby wipes, and formula. In total, the campaign amassed more than 10,000 diapers, 50 packs of baby wipes, and numerous cans of formula, all of which will be channeled through The Foundation of Delaware County to aid local families in need who are served by programs such as Healthy Start, Nurse-Family Partnership, Maternity Care Coalition, and WIC.
The month-long collection period commences in mid-November annually, concluding a week before Christmas. On the final day, participating offices and businesses rally to deliver the items to the Upper Darby WIC office, where The Foundation for Delaware County oversees distribution among its network.
Frances M. Sheehan, President of The Foundation for Delaware County, expressed gratitude, stating, “We appreciate Senator Kearney and our local Representatives for organizing this impactful diaper drive to support participants in the Foundation’s public health initiatives. With the conclusion of pandemic relief programs and the impact of inflation, many families are facing financial challenges. A single family can spend upwards of $800 annually on diapers alone. By donating diapers, families can allocate those funds towards essential needs like food, medicine, and housing.”