Sudbury Diaper Drive Aims to Collect 1,000 Cases This Holiday Season

The eighth annual Sudbury Diaper Drive is set to kick off this week, aiming to collect 1,000 cases of diapers to support local families in need. Organized by Sudbury’s Pure Country 91.7 in collaboration with the Pregnancy Care Centre and Infant Food Bank, the initiative will feature multiple donation events at the New Sudbury Centre parking lot.

The drive will begin on December 8, 2023, from 05:00 to 12:00, with morning hosts Josh and Coop leading the charge. The event continues on December 10 from 12:00 to 19:00, before concluding on December 12 from 05:00 to 12:00 with another appearance by Josh and Coop.

From Humble Beginnings to Community Tradition

The Sudbury Diaper Drive has experienced remarkable growth since its inception. Bryan ‘Coop’ Cooper, one of the organizers, reflects on its origins, saying, “In 2018, we saw that the Pregnancy Care Centre was in need of donations. We proposed a diaper drive with our listeners, and we proudly collected about 60 cases in the first year.” The following year, donations surged to 200 cases.

The current drive format was born out of necessity during the pandemic. “In year three, due to the uncertainties of COVID-19, we couldn’t collect donations at the radio station,” Coop explained. During a conversation with his mother, she suggested a drive-by format in a parking lot, allowing for safe drop-offs. The first drive-by event in 2021 saw an impressive collection of 400 cases.

The drive has continued to evolve, partnering with Shoppers Drug Mart in its fifth year, resulting in over 1,000 cases collected. “This event has become a staple for many in the Sudbury community during Christmas, and we are honoured to help bring awareness to the amazing work the Pregnancy Care Centre does,” Coop stated.

How to Contribute

This year, the drive specifically seeks sizes 4, 5, and 6. In addition to the main drop-off events at the New Sudbury Centre, donations can also be made at various local businesses, including Pass It On Undercoating, Gem Sewing, and Health Tweak.

For those unable to attend the events, monetary donations can be made directly to the Pregnancy Care Centre, located at 1032 LaSalle Boulevard. Donations can be dropped off on weekdays between 10:00 and 15:00, with a request to specify that they are for the Diaper Drive.

The Sudbury Diaper Drive reflects the community’s commitment to supporting families during the holiday season. As the drive approaches its goal, organizers encourage all residents to contribute in any way they can. For more information about the Pregnancy Care Centre and the Infant Food Bank, visit their official website.