Chester County Women's Services (CCWS), a pregnancy care medical center, held a free diaper giveaway on May 13 at its Coatesville office. The giveaway was open to anyone in the community in need of diapers and wipes for their children due to the effects of COVID-19.
Those who were interested in receiving the free diapers were asked to call CCWS in advance during normal business hours to reserve the size diapers that they needed. The event was promoted on CCWS social media sites, and information was distributed through flyers that were given out by partner organizations, such as the Community, Youth, and Women's Alliance (CYWA); Gaudenzia; and The Bridge Academy.
"In total, 100 families received this free service, which equated to 6,897 diapers," reported Michelle Maloney, CCWS development director.
The community was invited to contribute to the effort by donating money that was then used by CCWS to purchase the diapers. "We have a COVID emergency fund on our website, so people gave monetary donations through that," Maloney explained. "We also have an Amazon baby registry and a Walmart wish list. People could go on and select what is on the registries and have it mailed directly to CCWS. We did not take physical donations (of diapers), so people could make a donation without contact. It was a tangible way to help."
On the day of the giveaway, CCWS staff members followed social distancing guidelines. "(People) drove up and popped their trunks (and the diapers were placed inside)," said Maloney. "For walkers, we had a table set up where we would place the bag six feet away for contactless pickup."
CCWS also plans to host diaper giveaways at its West Chester and Kennett Square locations. "It felt so good to help the community," Maloney shared.
CCWS is a nonprofit, faith-based organization that helps women and their families who are facing unplanned pregnancies to make life-affirming choices. All services are 100% free and offered in both English and Spanish. Families are supported physically, emotionally and financially through basic pregnancy care, parenting education classes, peer counseling, a family advocacy program and community referrals.
Maloney reported that CCWS has remained open through the coronavirus pandemic. "We are seeing our clients virtually via telehealth and using Zoom for educational classes," she said. "For those with medical (needs), we are still offering in-office medical appointments. We are still out there helping."
CCWS has offices at 1028 E. Lincoln Highway in Coatesville, at 139 W. Market St. in West Chester and at 203 S. Walnut St. in Kennett Square. For more information, readers may visit http://www.ccwsmedicalinfo.org or call 610-383-0930.
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