By Conrad Dudderar
Associate Editor
Diapers are be collected at a brisk pace in a Yukon holiday effort to help children facing complex medical and physical disabilities.
Yukon Parks & Recreation patrons are encouraged to donate new Pampers and Huggies in the sixth annual YPR Diaper Drive to benefit the Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital, 6800 NW 39th Expressway in Bethany.
All YPR facilities are accepting donations of boxes of new diapers through New Year’s Day, and they’re looking to eclipse the high mark of 15,289 collected in 2016.
“This is something very special that we do each year,” Yukon Mayor Mike McEachern said. “They had a commercial (recently) for the Children’s Center in Bethany showing three empty skids that used to be full of diapers. They use an extraordinary number of diapers there at the facility.”
Diapers may be brought to the Dale Robertson Center, 1200 Lakeshore; Jackie Cooper Gym, 1024 E Main; Yukon Community Center, 2200 S Holly; and Yukon Parks & Recreation Administration Office, 532 W Main.
“Every year the Children’s Center really looks forward to us providing them,” McEachern said. “If you have a chance to get out and can buy some Huggies or Pampers, please take them by to one of those locations and we’ll make sure that they get them.”
There is a friendly competition among the Dale Robertson Center, Yukon Community and Jackie Cooper Gym to see which YPR facility collects the most diapers. The JC Gym is looking to retain its title; the winner gets free lunch at the restaurant of their choice.
“The group really enjoys the competition … it’s been something fun,” Yukon Parks & Recreation Director Jan Scott said.
The Children’s Center in Bethany utilizes 10,000 diapers a week. The YPR effort is in conjunction with the center’s Holiday Helpers campaign that provides items (like wipes and lotion) used to care for the pediatric patients with special needs.
“We run our drive the same time as their campaign,” Scott said. “There are several items that people can contribute; diapers is one category.”
The non-profit rehabilitation hospital offers three main areas of service: Long-term nursing and rehabilitative care, pediatric medical rehabilitation and outpatient services – general pediatrics, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.
The Children’s Center participates in the Yukon Spirit League, which provides sporting events for special needs individuals.
For more information about the YPR Diaper Drive, call 350-8937.
