Bethany’s Diaper Drive Builds Community Connections
By Sharon Mager
COLUMBIA, Md. — What began as a simple idea to meet practical needs in the community grew into a collaborative outreach that brought together Bethany Church, pregnancy resource centers, pro-life students and a variety of volunteers to serve families in need.
Just before Christmas, the church partnered with several organizations to host a Baby Drive to provide diapers, wipes, clothing, and community resources for mothers and families.
Chris Woodford, who serves as Bethany’s women’s ministry director and a deaconess, shows off a Snoopy onesie. (Photo by Madison Wells-James.)
Bethany Church member Madison Wells-James, who organized the event, explained the purpose of the drive was to show love to the community. She said, “We wanted to serve their immediate needs and build connections in Christ.”
The idea for the Baby Drive grew out of Wells’ involvement with TPUSA RISE, an organization that Wells -James says is about faith, family, and freedom. “One of their pillars is to strengthen the nuclear family and promote traditional marriage.”
Turning Point provided a $700 grant to help fund the event, allowing organizers to purchase wipes from EveryLife, a Christian pro-life diaper company that offered supplies at a discounted rate. Diapers were also donated by Bethany Church members, with additional baby supplies provided by Columbia Pregnancy Center, where Wells-James works. Laurel Pregnancy Center and Students for Life America also partnered in the event, offering resources and information to families.
Flyers promoting the event were distributed throughout the community at recreation centers, pregnancy centers, health clinics, and the Howard County WIC office. Materials were provided in both English and Spanish, and families were encouraged to pre-register and indicate diaper sizes so supplies could be prepared in advance.
The volunteers served approximately 30 families, many of whom were Spanish-speaking. In addition to donating diapers, Bethany Church members assisted in various ways, including distributing supplies, organizing baby clothes, and providing coffee and snacks.
(l-r) Kristen Young, Reilly Kleppin, Joelly Tapia, and Tessa Hansen greet visitors and answer questions. Joelly speaks Spanish and was able to help the Hispanic visitors. (Photo by Madison Wells-James)
Wells-James said, “We wanted to create an environment where people weren’t just ‘grabbing and going,’ but felt welcome to stay, connect with us, and experience the presence of God.”
Some visitors responded. Wells-James said, “I actually had an hour-long conversation with a girl there who was Muslim, and we had a meaningful interaction and exchanged phone numbers.”
Katie Matthews, the wife of Pastor CJ Matthews, said, “I was blown away by the generosity of everyone who donated. Each week, the mountain of diapers grew so large that the staff had to find more places to store them. As a parent of a baby still in diapers, I can only imagine the burden it must be for families who struggle to purchase the basic necessities for their little ones.”
Wells-James said the event was a success, and she hopes to make this a Bethany tradition.
If your church wants to start or strengthen a compassion ministry, visit our BCM/D website for resources.
Feature Photo: Bethany Church’s Diaper Drive was a collaboration between the church and community pro-life groups. (Photo by Madison Wells-James)
Sharon Mager serves as BCM/D Stories Editor