St. Olaf first-graders hold successful Diaper Drive

Saint Olaf School

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Courtesy of Saint Olaf School

BOUNTIFUL — After observing the service projects of their fellow students at Saint Olaf Catholic School this past year, the first-graders in Ms. Sarah Brann’s class were so excited about their very own service project they named the "Diaper Drive."

Brelyn Bernhardt-Burley explained that they were joining with the March of Dimes to help unfortunate mothers with tiny babies (up to 1 year) provide needed items for their babies.

"We are collecting all sorts of baby items to help fill up the March of Dimes Teddy Bear Den, which is a baby supply store for low-income moms," said Ian Moore.

"Moms earn points to buy supplies by doing good things to help themselves be better and healthier people, like stopping smoking, and eating heart-healthy food," stated Payton Zippi.

Jake Marland described how the first-graders presented their project to each grade and assigned specific items for each grade to donate such as clothes, onesies, baby hygiene products, wipes, pacifiers, bibs, bottles, baby clothes – just about anything a baby needs, except food and formula. Everyone was encouraged to bring a lot of diapers.

As each student donated an item, they were awarded a small teddy bear, which was provided by the March of Dimes as a thank you for helping, said Julian Manzo.

In addition, the first-grade students put every donor’s name on a paper baby bottle that was placed on a very large baby bottle in the hallway of the school. The class received more than 2,100 items of clothing, diapers and other baby products to help stock the shelves of The Teddy Bear Den. By the end of the Diaper Drive the large bottle was completely filled with the smaller donor baby bottles, which reflected the huge success of this first-grade project.