Lee County wants your spare diapers. Through Friday, October 23, you can drop a pack in a collection box at 12 county libraries and recreation centers, from Bonita Springs to Boca Grande. Everything collected in Lee County stays in Lee County.
The drive is a partnership with Healthy Start Southwest Florida, which runs the Southwest Florida Diaper Bank. The diaper bank has served 32,115 families so far. Half of those families miss about a week of work each month because their child care provider needs diapers they cannot afford. Almost half, 48 percent, say they wait longer between changes to stretch the supply.
County commissioners voted September 15 to recognize National Diaper Need Awareness Week. Then they decided they wanted to do more than pass a resolution, and the drive was born. It opened Monday, October 5.
Where to drop off
Look for the marked boxes at these parks and recreation sites:
- Estero Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero
- North Fort Myers Recreation Center, 2000 N. Recreation Park Way
- Veterans Park Recreation Center, 55 Homestead Road S., Lehigh Acres
- Wa-Ke-Hatchee Recreation Center, 16760 Bass Road, Fort Myers
- Boca Grande Community Center, 131 1st St.
And at these libraries:
- Bonita Springs Public Library, 10560 Reynolds St.
- East County Regional Library, 881 Gunnery Road N., Lehigh Acres
- Fort Myers Regional Library, 2450 First St.
- Lakes Regional Library, 15290 Bass Road, Fort Myers
- Northwest Regional Library, 519 Chiquita Blvd. N., Cape Coral
- Pine Island Public Library, 10701 Russell Road, Bokeelia
- South County Regional Library, 21100 Three Oaks Parkway, Estero
Healthy Start also takes donations at its main office, 1921 Jefferson Ave. in Fort Myers, and at its warehouse at 12270 Itec Park Drive, Suite 200, which is open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
What they need most
Diapers in every size from newborn through size 6 top the list. Toddler pull-ups, wipes, diaper cream and training pants are also welcome.
If you have a library trip or a rec center class on the calendar in the next two weeks, toss a pack in the car. It takes ten seconds at the door.
Learn more about Healthy Start Southwest Florida at healthystartbaby.org.
Want more good news from Fort Myers? Sign up for our free newsletter below.
Read this month’s issue of Fort Myers Living »
See what’s happening on the Fort Myers events calendar »
Love what you're reading?
Get the best of Fort Myers delivered to your inbox every month — local stories, events, and good news worth sharing.
Subscribe for Free
