Oh Baby! Sheriff Sandra Hutchens Helps Unload 50,000 Diapers Donated For Homeless Mothers

June 11, 2012 - PRLog -- Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens stepped outside – way outside – her normal duties on Monday as she helped unload a UPS truck packed to the brim with more than 50,000 diapers.  The diapers were delivered to Casa Teresa, a shelter for women and children in Orange, and were donated as part of HomeAid Orange County’s Essentials for Young Lives campaign in May.

Hutchens served as Honorary Chair of the fifth annual campaign, which set a new collection record of more than half a million diapers, wipes and other baby essentials.  More than 50,000 diapers also were delivered to two other Orange County shelters – Precious Life in Los Alamitos and Mary’s Shelter in Tustin.  The deliveries represent an entire year’s worth of diapers for the shelters.

“I can honestly say this is the most diapers I’ve ever seen in one place at the same time,” Hutchens said, laughing.  “It’s wonderful.  The generosity they represent is remarkable, and I’m so proud that HomeAid invited me to play a role in such an important effort.”

Pitching in alongside Hutchens to unload the diapers on Monday were Scott Larson, executive director of HomeAid OC; Michael Ruane, executive director of the Children and Families Commission of Orange County; John Baayoun, Division President of Lennar Homes, and Stacy Proctor from Casa Teresa.

Sponsored by HomeAid Orange County in partnership with the Children and Families Commission of Orange County and the YMCA of Orange County, this year’s Essentials campaign collected more than 500,000 items donated by individuals, companies, county employees, elected officials and community organizations. The essentials will bring aid to the county’s fastest-growing homeless population – families.

Last year’s campaign collected 110,000 diapers in total – but the employees of the Lennar California Coastal Division, along with their consultants and trade partners, almost matched that by themselves, donating nearly 107,000 diapers.

“Our original collection goal was 50,000 diapers, but as box after box after box of diapers was dropped off and the pile grew, it became obvious that the opportunity to help homeless babies struck a nerve with our associates,” Baayoun said.  “But what helped put us so far over our goal was the participation of our consultants and trade partners.  Without them, we would not have been anywhere close to our contribution level.  All of us at Lennar are so grateful to be associated with such incredible, caring people.”

In addition to the donated items, the campaign collected nearly $20,000 in contributions, which will be used to help the organization purchase another 100,000 diapers and wipes, bringing this year’s total to more than 500,000 items.  Last year’s campaign collected a total of 321,565 items.

On May 19, more than 75 volunteers met the UPS trucks and then spent the day sorting and packaging the items for delivery to 17 different shelters that will distribute them to mothers and their babies.

"Since 2008, Orange County residents and businesses have demonstrated their compassionate concern for those in need through the Essentials for Young Lives Campaign,” said Scott Larson, Executive Director, HomeAid Orange County.  “But this year, they simply outdid themselves.  There’s no other way to put it.  Their amazing generosity will help ensure the health and well-being of homeless babies and bring new hope to their struggling families.”

Essentials for Young Lives is a community-wide effort to collect diapers, baby wipes, baby food and baby hygiene products that are distributed to 17 non-profit Orange County organizations serving homeless mothers and their children. Each year companies, community organizations and individuals conduct collection drives among their employees, friends and families.

"Even as the economy slowly recovers, mothers forced to live in homeless shelters in Orange County continue to struggle day to day to provide the essentials for their infant children,” said Michael Ruane, Executive Director of the Children and Families Commission of Orange County.  “The response to this year’s campaign was incredible, and once again underscored how deep the county’s compassion runs.  Unfortunately, the need will continue once these donations have been used.  Our hope each year is that the Essentials campaign will highlight the urgent need for ongoing contributions and volunteers.”

Since HomeAid launched the annual Orange County Essentials for Young Lives campaign in 2008, more than 1.3 million essential baby items have been collected and distributed to the following HomeAid service provider partners that assist families and children: American Family Housing; Anaheim Interfaith Shelter; Casa Teresa; Catholic Worker – Isaiah House; Families Forward; H.I.S. House; Human Options; Interval House; Laura’s House; Mary’s Shelter; Mercy House; Orange County Rescue Mission; Orangewood Children’s Home; Pathways of Hope; Precious Life Shelter; Thomas House, and W.T.L.C.

Plans are already underway for the 2013 Essentials for Young Lives Campaign.  For more information or to get involved email Gina Scott at gina@homeaidoc.org.   

About HomeAid Orange County
HomeAid Orange County is the founding chapter of a national non-profit organization with the mission to build and maintain dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives. Founded in1989 by the Orange County Chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California, HomeAid acts as the housing developer and liaison between service providers, community volunteers, builders and specialty contractors.  To date the organization has completed 48 housing developments that serve victims of domestic violence, pregnant homeless women, abused and abandoned children, homeless adults living with HIV/AIDS and homeless families. www.homeaidoc.org

About Children and Families Commission of Orange County
The Children and Families Commission of Orange County oversees the allocation of funds from Proposition 10, which added a 50-cent tax on tobacco products sold in California. Funds help pay for education, health care and child development programs for children from the prenatal stage to age five and their families.  The Commission’s goal is to ensure all children are healthy and ready to learn when they enter school. Programs supported by the Commission include shelter projects and services for children and families because children learn better when they have stable housing. For additional information visit: www.occhildrenandfamilies.com