Diaper donation helps organization hit by theft
DURHAM (WTVD) -- There's a new twist in the case of the bandits who took off with about 13,000 diapers from the Diaper Bank of North Carolina that were intended for families in need.
However, there is good news. A local business is stepping in and coming to the rescue.
"It didn't take long to think about this," said Justin Freeman, of Freeco Inc. in Fayetteville. "It was like 'Man, we have to do something about this, we've got to act.'"
Freeman definitely acted in a big way by donating two pallets of more than 6,300 diapers. Justin bought them right after seeing our story about the diaper bandits on Monday.
"We were sitting in the office and I was like 'Wow, wow. Someone would actually take from the children,'" said Justin.
Justin said seeing how the thieves left empty shelves at the diaper bank got to him.
"It weighs heavy on me because I've lost, and I've had things taken from me, and sometimes you can't replace those things," said Justin.
Justin and Bernard Williams, also of Freeco Inc., loaded the thousands of diapers into our news van.
Once all were packed in, it was time to hit the road back to Durham to deliver the big surprise to the Diaper Bank of North Carolina.
When we opened the doors to show the executive director the thousands of donated diapers, she was overwhelmed with the generosity from Freeco Inc.
"We are so grateful to the community," said Diaper Bank Executive Director Michelle Old. "It's been an amazing response."
We helped carry the thousands of diapers brought all the way from Fayetteville. There are diapers that will help refill the empty shelves. However, they will quickly go right back out into the community to help those in need.
While about 28,000 diapers have been donated since Monday, that's how many the charity gives out each month. So, donations are still needed.
The community can help in several ways. Diaper donations - sizes 4 and 5 are particularly needed - can be made at one of the Diaper Bank Hot Spot Drop-off locations:
- Bull City Craft (2501 University Drive, Durham, NC)
- Stay & Play Snack Cafe (405A East Chapel Hill Street, Durham, NC)
- Chapel Hill Children's Clinic (301 Kildaire Road #200, Chapel Hill, NC)
Donations can also be made on the Diaper Bank's website at http://ncdiaperbank.org/get-involved/donate-it/.
