District 45 has a unique opportunity to support families throughout Vermont. As I stated in a previous letter in the Communique, state funding to the Vermont Diaper Bank has been severely cut from approximately $320,000 yearly to a FINAL $100,000. This funding helps families with limited income have access to free diapers. If any of you have purchased diapers for your family or grandchildren lately, you realize how expensive they are. Imagine being on a low, fixed income with a baby to provide for.

Diapers are not a luxury item on that shopping list. It’s a NECESSITY! It not only is needed for a baby’s comfort, but also for a baby’s health and wellbeing. One recipient who makes just above minimumwage who depends on the diaper bank in this area is a single father with two children, both with autism. He told our outreach staff that we can’t imagine how much this little bit of support helps him.

Oh, we know….

So that all being said, District 45 is starting the Lions Diaper Brigade Drive. Each club can either collect diapers from members, or even better yet, hold their own diaper drive. This will be considered a districtwide service project. Each club should keep track of EVERY SINGLE DIAPER they collect. By November Conference I will collect the numbers from each club and the club with the most diapers collected will win a prize of $100 for that Club’s administration fund!

To make this easier for everyone, I have attached a list of the 15 state-mandated parent/child centers. (See below)

Under each center, you will find their addresses and phone numbers. Clubs are to look for their club’s names under their center’s contact information. Hopefully I’ve assigned each club to the closest center for their convenience. Clubs can begin to bring their diapers collected so far to their parent/child center.

Please feel free to collect and deliver in whichever way works best for your club. Some clubs may wish to collect diapers throughout the month of October and present them all at once for a fantastic photo op at their PPC, or if space is an issue, make weekly drop-offs. I do ask one thing however. PLEASE CALL YOUR PARENT CHILD CENTER BEFORE DROP OFF. This way they can direct you to the correct building or door for everyone’s convenience. I have already begun to get reports of diaper collections from some clubs, so don’t delay! Start your diaper drive today. Let’s make this a WHOLE DISTRICT SERVICE PROJECT.

We can do this!

…and THANK YOU!

Yours in Kindness and Gratitude,

FVDG Deb

Where to take your collections:

Addison County Parent Child Center 126 Monroe ST, Middlebury, VT Phone: 802-388-3171

Club(s): Middlebury, Brandon/Forestdale, Vergennes

Early Education Services of Windham Southeast District 130 Birge St, Brattleboro, VT Phone:802-254-3742

Brattleboro, Deerfield Valley, Readsboro, Valley

Family Center of Washington County, 383 Sherwood Drive, Montpelier, VT Phone: 802-262-3292

Barre

Janet S Munt Family Room, 20 Allen St, Burlington, VT Phone: 802-862-2121

Williston, Essex Junction

Lamoille Family Center, 480 Cadys Falls Rd., Morriosville, VT Phone: 802-888-5229

Jericho/Underhill

Lund Parent Child Center, 50 Joy Drive, South Burlington, VT Phone: 802-864-7467

Champlain Valley

Milton Family Center, 23 Villemaire Lane, Milton, VT Phone: 802-893-1457

Colchester, Georgia

Northeast Kingdom Community Action Parent Child Ctr North, 371 Main St, Newport, VT Phone:802-334-7316

Troy & Area, Richford

Northeast Kingdom Comm Action Parent Child Ctr South, 115 Lincoln St, St. Johnsbury, VT Phone: 802-748-6040

Orleans, Derby

Orange County Parent Child Center, 693 VT Route 110, Tunbridge, VT Phone: 802-685-2264

Strafford & Area

Rutland County Parent Child Center, 61 Pleasant St., Rutland, VT Phone: 800-480-9711

Castleton, Manchester, Arlington, Route 100

Springfield Area Parent Child Center, 80 Jack and Jill Lane, No Springfield, VT Phone: 802-886-5242

Windsor, Springfield, Londonderry

Sunrise Family Resource Center, 244 Union St., Bennington, VT Phone: 802-442-6934

Norshaft, Granville

The Family Place, 391 US Rte 5 South, Norwich, VT Phone:800-639-0039

Heartland , Norwich

The Parent Child Center of Northwestern Counseling & Support Services, 130 Fisher Pond Rd, S. Albans, VT802-393-6647

Swanton/Missisquoi, Enosburg Falls