About The Diaper Ladies
The “Original” Diaper Lady
Eileen Rogers, founder of the Annual Baby Diaper Drive, volunteered at Homeward Bound in 1997 and learned that diapers, shampoo, wipes, and other paper products couldn't be purchased with food stamps. She found how expensive formula was and heard stories about mothers who were going without food so they could purchase these various items for their babies. She understood that providing simple items, such as diapers and baby wipes, could make a huge difference in the lives of Homeward Bound families. Inspired by how hard these moms were working for a better life, the idea of the first Baby Diaper Drive was born!
She recruited Ginger Clayton, Susan Haugland and Laura Ziff, and many others to join in this grassroots effort to support and help the moms and children at Homeward Bound.
Ginger and Susan enlisted the resources of their companies and contacts and have added the new and wildly successful Elontec School Diaper Challenge contest as part of the annual drive efforts. The concept of “Kids Helping Kids” was born from the School Diaper Challenge and provided students with leadership skills and a whole lot of fun working together.
We invite you to join us for our 14th Annual Baby Diaper Drive. When we reach our annual goal of 200,000 diapers and $75,000 of emergency funds this year, we will have reached our milestone goal of collecting $1,000,000 in total drive contributions for Homeward Bound families! We’d love to have your help!
Meet the Other Diaper Ladies
The Annual Baby Diaper Drive wouldn’t exist without the help of our community, Valley schools, businesses, and organizations that have contributed and made this grassroots effort a reality, which has lasted over 14 years. Behind the scenes is a team of “diaper ladies” who have helped make the annual Baby Diaper Drive happen.
Meet the Baby Diaper Drive Team! We asked each of them to tell us what they do in real life, what they do for the Diaper Drive, and how many diapers they’ve changed in their lifetime.
Ginger Clayton
Baby Diaper Drive Chair
1. I am a wife to my wonderful husband, a mother of five amazing children who I adore, community service advocate and catalyst, devoted to my walk in faith with Christ, and owner of Elontec, a local service provider of technology, telecommunications, and commercial relocation services.
2. My role has evolved over the years from volunteering with my family on diaper delivery day, hosting a drive at my business and a drive in my neighborhood,to now chairing the Diaper Drive. Primarily, I would consider my role as one of engaging other people to get involved and to increase kids helping kids and families helping families here in the valley. I am a huge advocate of the drive for the cause itself but also because it is such an ideal way for families, schools, offices, churches, etc. to bond together while helping other people.
3. I have changed about 61,000 diapers in my lifetime, but I am looking forward to having grandchildren and fully anticipating hitting well over the 200,000 diaper change mark at that point.
Laura Ziff
Laura is the CEO of AAM, a 22-year-old community management firm based in Phoenix. With more than, 25 years in community management, Laura has been involved in all aspects of the industry - from serving as a vice president in the real estate owned department of several banks to sales, leasing, and hands on management.
Laura has worked as an educator for nearly a decade before changing her career path. She continues to use her teaching skills to enhance the education level of her staff and clients. In 2012, Laura joined the Baby Diaper Drive and brings to the organization exciting new ideas, vision, and a deep understanding of fundraising for non-profits. Laura is currently working with the Diaper Ladies to boost The Diaper Drive's Emergency Baby Funds efforts.
Dana Bailey
Sr. Director of Development and Program Strategy, Homeward Bound
1. I am an Arizona native and have been married for 21 years. I enjoy scuba diving and creative home improvement projects with my husband. I have two boys (17 & 13 years old). My favorite free-time activity is watching my two boys play on their sports teams – football and soccer. My latest undertaking is family golf outings.
At Homeward Bound, I am Sr. Director of Development and Program Strategy. I am responsible for managing all areas of development, marketing, communications, the agency's premier fund-raising special events, volunteer program, drives, and donations. I do it with the most dedicated and amazing marketing team!
2. For the Baby Diaper Drive, I work with the client families to share their stories with the community, liaison with the media for interviews, meet with drive hosts, encourage donations for the emergency fund, and search for storage space for the thousands of incoming diapers!
3. How many diapers have I changed? Looking back when my boys were in diapers, I have a fabulous husband who jumped in and changed as many diapers as I did. I estimate I've changed roughly 14,000 diapers. I am a new aunt and look forward to lots of baby time…changing diapers and all!
Mariah Buckley
Communications Coordinator, Homeward Bound
1. After a year in Arizona, I can safely say that I am still not completely used to the heat, though I am MUCH more sensitive to the cold now. Though I adore my home state of Maine, I enjoy living in new places, traveling, learning languages, and meeting new people - basically all the things that make being a communications coordinator a dream! I am a bookworm, closet musical theater diva, and wannabe Sam Brown (Travel Channel) copycat. But above all, I love spending time with my family and friends - they come first always!
2. My role in the Baby Diaper Drive is to spread the word through press releases, PSAs, and social media. I am also in charge of giving tours of Homeward Bound to Diaper Drive participants and keeping track/count of all the wonderful donations that come through our doors!
3. Let’s see… after working as a nanny for a year, babysitting since the age of 11 and being the oldest of three girls, I would say I have changed well over 1,000 diapers and will probably change thousands more. Luckily, I adore babies and really don’t mind.
