Women of Steel Diaper Drive

When United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County sees a systemic issue in the community, they bring everyone directly affected to the table, work out a feasible solution with impactful results, roll up their sleeves, and get to work.

1 in 3 American families experience diaper insecurity. It's an issue that impacts every facet of daily life- the health and well being of babies and toddlers, maintaining employment (you need to supply daycare with diapers), and whether you have reliable transportation influences the price you're paying, just to highlight a few. Taking into account that infants need roughly 12 diaper changes a day and toddlers needing roughly 8 diaper changes per day, (not to mention any diaper changing mishaps) diapers add up pretty quickly.

When it all is said and done, the average parent is spending roughly $80 per month on diapers and wipes- per child. If you have more than one child in diapers, that price is much higher.

The Women of Steel are hard working, dedicated to the community, and quickly jump to action when there is a group of people in need. They are incredible and we are so fortunate to have them on Team Union. In fact, their leader Cindy Odden delivered blankets in Madison on Saturday before she and another member from her local drove to Milwaukee with their cars full of diapers!

The United Steelworkers make Huggies Diapers with one of the Kimberly Clark plants located in the Neenah/Menasha area, and while that plant doesn't necessarily produce the diapers, it was natural to partner with Women of Steel to host a diaper drive.

United Way recently became a member of the National Diaper Bank Network and held a soft launch of their Diaper Bank in April of 2021 to meet the community need for diapers across Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha Counties. Access to diapers and wipes crosses all of United Way's program issue areas. They check in with their community diaper hubs monthly and stock their shelves based on demand. Soon they expect to dedicate a portion of the Johnson Controls Volunteer Center to the Diaper Bank.

Women of Steel and other affiliated local unions spent the month of November collecting monetary donations, diapers, and wipes. This past Saturday they were dropped off at the Labor Council and then Women of Steel participated in a Zoom with United Way VP of Volunteer Engagement Jayne Thoma and Americorp Volunteer Monica Ducksworth who heads up diaper distribution. Monica said that the goal for her year of service is to distribute 500,000 diapers to the community.

We are so thrilled to report that the Women of Steel Diaper Drive collected 7,927 diapers and 11,668 wipes for a retail value of $3,370.59- that's a lot of happy babies!

Click here to check out the United Way's Diaper Bank including how to run a collection drive, become a sponsor, or access talking points.