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6TH ANNUAL ADVENT DIAPER DRIVE
WILL RUN FROM DECEMBER 3 TO 17
Centenary's annual diaper drive for The Maker's Place, a United Methodist Hope Center and diaper bank serving low income families in the Trenton area, will be held from December 3 to 17. Now in its sixth year, our diaper drive has become an Advent tradition. Over the last two years, Centenary has collected nearly 7,000 diapers for The Maker's Place, which distributes an average of 24,000 free diapers each month to help struggling families meet their basic needs. The Greater New Jersey Conference of the United Methodist Church established this missional initiative to address the high infant mortality rate in the Trenton area.
Did you know that babies require up to 12 diapers a day, and toddlers about 8. A sufficient supply of diapers is necessary to keep a baby clean, dry, and healthy. Because diapers are expensive, low income families often cannot afford an adequate supply and must cut back on the number they purchase to meet other essential expenses.
Here are three ways your diaper donations make a big difference?
1) Babies who remain too long in soiled diapers are exposed to potential health risks. Sadly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that the U.S. infant mortality rate rose three percent last year--the largest increase in two decades. Infant mortality is the measure of how many babies die before they reach their first birthday. YOUR DONATIONS MAKE A CHANGE FOR BETTER INFANT HEALTH!
2) Most child care centers, even free or subsidized facilities, require parents to provide a day's supply of disposable diapers. YOUR DONATIONS MAKE A CHANGE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CHILDHOOD LEARNING!
3) Many parents can't go to work or school if they can't leave their babies at child care. YOUR DONATIONS MAKE A CHANGE FOR WORKING FAMILIES, AND HELP FAMILIES IN POVERTY STRETCH THEIR INCOME FURTHER.
Diaper donations can be dropped off at Centenary UMC, 200 Hillside Avenue, Metuchen on Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to noon, and on Saturday and Sunday, between 9:30 a.m. and noon. The Maker's Place collects diapers of all sizes, as well as pull-ups and wipes. Sizes 4, 5, 6, and 7 are especially needed.
During this Advent Season, as we celebrate the coming of the Christ child into the world 2,000 years ago, what better way to honor Him than by giving the children being born today a better chance to grow up healthy.
Bob Carlson
Missions Chairman
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