MILFORD--The Student Council of Orchard Hills School has been busy collecting diapers this month. These diapers will be distributed to local Milford families in need as part of the Women with United Vision’s Healthy Baby Diaper Drive.

Women with United Vision (WUV), a women’s leadership initiative of the United Way of Milford, plans to collect 10,000 diapers during the month of March. “Many struggling families cannot afford sufficient quantities of diapers,” says Darcy Ellis, co-chair of WUV, “and since daycare facilities require parents to supply their own diapers, lack of diapers becomes an obstacle for working parents. Diapers cannot be purchased with food stamps or through the WIC federal program and can cost families an average of $100 per month.”

Melissa Wunder, chairperson of WUV’s Healthy Baby Diaper Drive and PTA Council Vice President, has been working to get Milford area schools involved. “We are thrilled with the level of participation. Schools like Orchard Hills have truly embraced this project.”

Consisting of 25 fifth graders, the Student Council of Orchard Hills School is pleased with their efforts so far. Says Claudia Ross, a Student Council officer, “We put up posters all around the school and made announcements over the loud speaker.” Lia Burrows, another Student Council officer, adds, “We are happy the diapers are going to people who can’t afford them.”

In addition to the Milford schools, several local businesses have also agreed to serve as collection points and to encourage their employees and customers to contribute. Diapers can be dropped off at the following locations: ShopRite of Milford, Super Stop and Shop on East Town Road, Woodruff Family YMCA, GE Federal Credit Union, Ikon Office Solutions, Turner Construction, Sand Castle Learning Center, and Trixie Salon. For more information or to become involved in the Healthy Baby Diaper Drive contact the United Way of Milford at (203) 874-6791.