OCALA, FL. (352today) – Five-year-old Lucas Perez was given $100 from his great-aunt with instructions that he had to pay it forward. Lucas decided he wanted to help babies. His mom, Tayler Croom-Perez, took him shopping and together they brought a donation of diapers, wipes, baby bottles, and other infant supplies to the Early Learning Coalition of Marion County.
The Coalition’s Parent Education Coordinator Ruth Velez was so excited about the timing of the donation. She brought Lucas and his mom to the back office and showed them the empty drawers that are typically full of diapers and wipes to assist local families facing an emergency shortage of diapers. Velez allowed Lucas to add his donation of wipes to the drawer. She then presented him with a certificate for “helping babies in Marion County.” Velez said, “I’ve been struggling with what to give my grandchildren for Christmas because they already have so many toys. The gift Lucas’s great aunt gave him is so inspiring! The joy Lucas felt in knowing that he did something to help babies in our community will stay with him for a lifetime. We are so grateful to Lucas and his family for their very meaningful gift of paying it forward.”
The National Diaper Bank Network reports one in four U.S. parents miss work or school because they can’t afford the daily supply of diapers needed for their child to attend child care. The Coalition’s diaper assistance helps eligible families meet an essential need while reducing barriers to child care and employment. The program is 100% supported by community donations, and the need is increasing. Community Relations Director Wendy Williams said, “In the past quarter, July through September, we distributed over 8,000 diapers, a 174% increase from last year, yet the number of diapers donated has been slightly less than last year.”
To help meet the growing need, the Coalition is hosting a diaper drive through the holidays. Donations can be brought to the Coalition’s office at 2300 SW 17th Rd., Ocala during lobby hours: Monday – Wednesday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thursday 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Friday 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Organizations who would like to host a drive or serve as a drop-off location can contact Velez at 352-369-2315, Ext. 212 or email ParentingPrograms@ELC-Marion.org.
The Coalition’s mission is to equip every young child and family for success. They implement the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK), School Readiness, and Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) programs on behalf of the Florida Department of Education Division of Early Learning plus additional complimentary programs that support parents as a child’s first and most important teacher. For more information, visit elc-marion.org.